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■'■f.%^      rfiit       Ait 


THEORY  AND  PRACTICE 


OF 


VETERINARY 
MEDICINE 


NOTES  TAKEN  FROM 

LECTURES 


DELIVERED  BY 


A.    H.    BAKER,    V.    S. 

PROFESSOR  OF  THEORY  AND  PRACTICE  AT  THE  CHICAGO  VETERINARY  COLLRGE 


THIRD  EDITION,  REVISED 


CHICAGO 

ALEXANDER  EGER 

PUBLISHER 
1912 


OYTn'^ 


*yc. 


COPYRIGHTED 
AT     WASHINGTON,     D.     C. 

1911 
BY    ALEXANDER    EGER 


.t^r 


r 


CU-Berkeley 

257779 


PREFACE  TO  THIRD  EDITION. 


Owing  to  the  rapid  exhaustion  of  the  second  edition,  a 
third  edition  of  this  book  has  been  published. 

While  the  style  of  arrangement  has  not  been  changed  and 
additions  are  but  few,  still  the  book  has  been  thoroughly 
revised  and  brought  up  to  date. 

The  liberal  patronage  of  the  profession  is  herewith  grate- 
fully acknowledged.  A.  E. 


PREFACE  TO  SECOND  EDITION. 


The  frequently  expressed  desire  of  \'eterinary  Students  and 
Practitioners  for  a  small  and  concise  work  on  Veterinary  Theory 
and  Practice  has  prompted  me  to  publish  this  little  book  of  Stu- 
dent's notes. 

The  similar  edition  issued  several  years  ago  was  much  appre- 
ciated by  both  students  and  practitioners  to  whom  also  I  believe 
this  new  issue  will  be  as  welcome. 

This  being  merely  a  book  of  student's  notes  the  language  used 
is  somewhat  free  and  non-technical,  a  fact  that  will,  I  hope,  be 
excused  by  the  critical  reader.  A.  E. 


CONTENTS. 


Introduction  12 

The  Institutes  of  Medicine 13 

Classification  of  Disease 1^ 

The  Blood  1^ 

Pulse  ^^ 

Temperature   20 

Congestion 21 

Results  of  Active  Congestion 24 

Thrombosis  and  Embolism 26 

Inflammation 28 

Death    • ^^ 

How  TO  Kill  a  Horse 33 

Nosology ^^ 

Rational  Treatment  of  Disease  in  General 36 

Rational  Treatment  of  a  Fever 37 

Respiratory  Diseases   "^^ 

Rhinitis    '•  •  •  ^- 

Laryngitis ^° 

Chronic  Laryngitis , 5- 

Ouinsy    ' ^^ 

Diphtheria   ^^ 

Bronchitis    ^' 

Heaves  or  Pulmonary  Emphysema 63 

Asthma    '•  •  •  ^^ 

Pulmonary  Congestion    69 

Pneumonia    

Ql 

Pleurisy   . . .  ./ 

Record  of  a  Case  of  Pneumonia 88 


8 


CONTENTS. 


Diseases  of  the  Digestive  System 89 

Anatomy  and  Physiology 89 

Phenomena  of  the  Digestive  Organs 91 

Diseases  of  the  Mouth 92 

Congestion  of  the  muccal  membrane 92 

Stomatitis    93 

Glossitis  •  94 

Parotiditis    95 

Ptyalisni 95 

Salivary  Fistula   97 

Salivary  Calculi    98 

Diseases  of  the  Throat ^ 99 

Pharyngitis    99 

Diseases  of  the  Oesophagus 100 

Oesophagitis    100 

Oesophagismus    101 

Chocking    101 

Organic  Diseases  of  the  Oesophagus 104 

Diseases  of  the  Stomach ' 105 

Vomition    105 

Indigestion    106 

Acute   Gastric   Indigestion 109 

Chronic    Gastric   Indigestion 110 

Gastritis  113 

Chronic  Gastritis   115 

Rupture  of  the  Stomach 116 

Constipation    118 

Diarrhoea   123 

Acute  Diarrhoea   126 

Chronic  Diarrhoea    126 

Colic   129 

Flatulent  Colic    132 

Intestinal  Obstructions   135 

Eversion  of  the  Rectum 137 

Haemorrhoids    I39 

Rupture  of  the  Intestinal  Wall 140 

Enteritis   140 


ri 


CONTENTS.  9 

Peritonitis    143 

Dysentery 144 

Diseases  of  the  Abdominal  Glands 145 

Liver-Spleen-Pancreas 145 

Congestion  of  the  Liver 146 

Hepatitis    148 

Chronic  Hepatitis 149 

Fatty  Degeneration    150 

Icterus    150 

Constitutional  or  Blood  Diseases 153 

Variola , 154 

Anthrax 155 

Rabies 158 

Glanders  161 

Strangles    .  .  .  .; 170 

Bursatti    172 

Botryomycosis 174 

Corn  Stalk  Disease 174 

Surra   174 

Influenza    175 

Purpura  Hsemorrhagica 177 

Scarlatina 179 

Infectious  Anemia   180 

Rheumatism     182 

Lymphangitis    186 

Epizootic  Lymphangitis    189 

Azoturia 190 

Diseases  of  the  Circulatory  System 195 

Palpitation  195 

Cyanosis 197 

Syncope   198 

Acute  Inflammatory  Diseases 198 

Pericarditis 198 

Endocarditis    200 

Myocarditis    203 

Hypertrophy   and    Atrophy 203 

Fatty  Degeneration    205 


10  CONTENTS. 

Polypi  or  Tumors  of  the  Heart 206 

Rupture   206 

Diseases  of  the  Blood  Vessels 206 

Arteritis   206 

Aneurism     20/ 

Phlebitis   207 

Varix   208 

Diseases  of  the  Urinary  System 208 

Albuminuria    210 

Hematuria   211 

Diabetes  Insipidus   212 

Diabetes  Mellitus  213 

Oxaluria    213 

Renal  Congestion   214 

Nephritis 215 

Renal  Calculus 217 

Cystitis 217 

Dysuria    218 

Ischuria    219 

Enuresis    220 

Urethritis   , 221 

Tumors    221 

Cysts    225 

Diseases  of  the  Bones 228 

Atrophy   of    Bone 231 

Constitutional  Osteoporosis    231 

Osteomalacia 232 

Rachitis 233 

Healing  of  Bone 235 

Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System 236 

Cerebral   Congestion    236 

Cerebral  Anaemia,  Embolus,  Apoplexy  and  ^Meningitis  237 

Cerebral   Softening    239 

Myelitis   and    Paresis 240 

Hydrocephalus    .  . 241 

Tabes  Dorsalis 242 


CONTEXTS.  11 

Tetanus 243 

Chorea   246 

Diseases  of  the  Reproductive  System 247 

Simple  Pox   247 

jNIalignant  Pox   248 

Urethritis 249 

Phimosis    250 

Paraphimosis 250 

Dropsy  of  the  Ovaries 251 

Hydrometra 251 

Nymphomania,  Hysteria   252 

Leucorrhoea   , 252 

Onanism 253 

Diseases  of  the  Organs  of  Special  Sense 253 

Simple  Ophthalmia    253 

Hsematoides  Fungus    254 

Entropium  .  ., 254 

Ectropium,  Leucoma   255 

Ulceration  of  the  Cornea 255 

Keratitis 256 

Filaria   Oculi    256 

Amaurosis   257 

Detachment  of  the  Retina 258 

Staphyloma    . 258 

Periodic  Ophthalmia   259 

Sun  Stroke  95I 

Death:  by  Lightning 264 


INTRODUCTION. 


1  HE  PRACTICE  OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE  is 

^^^^  both  a  science  and  an  art.  As  a  science  it  inquires  into 
l^^^l  the  existence,  conditions,  nature  and  causes  of  disease. 
A  science  relates  to  facts ;  it  is  not  theory,  it  can  be  demonstrated. 
The  existence,  conditions,  and  nature  of  the  case,  the  location  of 
the  disease,  the  causes  of  it, — these  are  all  facts. 

As  an  art  Veterinary  Medicine  directs  its  efforts  toward  the 
prevention,  treatment,  and  recognition  of  disease.  It  used  to  be 
considered  as  an  art  only ;  but  now,  the  world  over,  it  is  regarded 
as  a  scientific  profession. 

What  is  disease?  Disease  is  any  deviation  from  the  normal 
condition  i.  e.,  from  health.  Health  is  best  and  most  concisely 
defined  as  the  condition  in  which  all  the  vital  organs  perform 
their  functions  rhythmically.  A  disorder  in  one  organ  upsets 
the  others.     Health  implies  that  all  are  working  in  harmony. 


THE  INSTITUTES  OF  MEDICINE. 


The  Institutes  of  Medicine  are  necessary  m  order  to  facilitate 
the  study  of  disease. 

Disease  is  either  functional  or  organic.  A  functional  disease 
is  one  in  which  the  physiological  action  is  disturbed,  but  does 
not  show  pathological  lesions  or  morbid  anatomy.  A  disease  is 
organic  when  it  gives  indication  of  morbid  anatomy.  A  disease 
may  be  both  functional  and  organic ;  but  it  may  be  purely  func- 
tional without  showing  any  change  of  structure,  the  physiological 
action  alone  being  disturbed.  Hence  a  good  knowledge  of  physi- 
ology and  anatomy  is  necessary  in  order  to  understand  disease, 
— physiology  for  the  functional  diseases  and  anatomy  and  hist- 
ology for  the  organic. 

Pathology  is  the  doctrine  of  disease,  i.  e.,  it  is  the  doctrine 
of  everything  connected  with  morbid  conditions,  either  func- 
tional or  organic.     It  is  divided  into : 

1.  General  Pathology. 

2.  Special  Pathology. 

General  Pathology  treats  of  diseased  conditions  in  general 
without  reference  to  any  special  case.  Special  Pathology  takes 
into  consideration  special  diseases  and  treats  of  their  morbid 
anatomy. 

Cinder  general  pathology  the  following  factors  come  into  con- 
sideration : 

1.  Etiology — Cause. 

2.  Symptomatology  —  Semeiology,    Symp- 

toms. 

3.  Pathogeny — Pathogenesis    (the  genera- 

tion, production  and  development  of 
disease). 

4.  Nosology — Classification     and     nomen- 

clature. 


14  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

5.  Diagnosis — Recognition  of  the  disease. 

6.  Prognosis — Probable  termination. 

7.  Morbid  Anatomy — Structural     changes 

produced  by  the  disease. 

8.  Hygiene — Prevention     of     disease     by 

good  management. 

9.  Therapeutics — Medicinal  indications. 

Etiology. — The  causes  of  disease  are  divided  into  two  classes, 
predisposing  and  exciting.  The  predisposing  arise  within  the 
body. — they  are  intrinsic.  Conformation  and  heredity  are 
examples.  Consider  a  case  of  purpura  hemorrhagica,  a  specific 
disease  due  to  the  action  of  some  microbe  on  the  red  blood 
corpuscles.  This  germ  lives  especially  in  dirty  stables,  but  is 
resisted  by  animals  in  good  health ;  let  the  animals  become 
debilitated,  however,  and  microbian  invasion  occurs.  The 
debilitation  may  be  caused  by  a  decayed  tooth,  by  poor  digestion, 
etc.,  and  we  call  these  predisposing  causes.  A  narrow  chest  and 
straight  ribs  predispose  an  animal  to  chest  diseases ;  a  sickle 
hock  to  curb ;  a  straight  hock  to  bone  spavin. 

The  exciting  causes  of  disease  in  the  horse  are : — 

1.  Overwork  or  too  little  work. 

2.  Exposure  to  extreme  changes  of  tem- 
perature and  to  other  meteorological 
conditions.  . 

3.  Indigestible  and  impure  food. 

4.  Poisons,  foul  drinking  water  and  con- 

tagions. 

Symptomatology. — The  symptoms  of  disease  are  the  signs, 
changes,  actions,  inclinations,  and  feelings  expressed  by  the  ani- 
mal. It  covers  everything  that  can  be  noticed  as  differing  from 
the  normal.  In  order  for  a  practitioner  to  be  able  to  recognize 
these,  he  must  first  be  familiar  with  the  normal  habits  of  the 
various  species  of  animals.  For  everything  differing  from  the 
normal  is  a  symptom  of  disease. 

Pathogeny. — The  generation  of  disease  relates  to  its  minute 
cause,  for  example  a  bacterium :  the  production  indicates  how 
the  disease  is  produced  by  the  cause ;  the  development  is  the 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  15 

result  of  the  action  of  the  cause.  Tuberculosis  is  produced 
by  the  multiplication  of  the  bacillus  of  tuberculosis,  and  this 
bacillus  causes  the  disease ;  caseation,  cell-infiltration,  and  miliary 
tubercles  are  the  result  of  the  germ  action. 

Diagnosis. — To  be  able  to  diagnose  is  to  succeed,  either  in 
veterinary  practice  or  in  the  human.  Next  comes  logical  reason- 
ing power — to  be  able  to  put  the  symptoms  together.  The 
veterinarian  cannot,  ask  his  patient  anything,  and  he  must  arrive 
at  his  own  conclusions  from  what  he  sees. 

Hygiene. — This  relates  to  diet,  ventilation,  drainage  and 
general  management  (housing,  blanketing,  feeding  and  exercise). 
Seventy-five  per  cent  of  one's  practice  is  produced  by  the  bad 
management  by  the  owners  of  animals. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  DISEASES. 

Diseases  are  divided  into  three  classes,  Epizootic,  Enzootic, 
and  Sporadic.  An  epizootic  disease  attacks  large  numbers  of 
animals  over  a  large  tract  of  country ;  there  is  no  local  cause. 
Any  specific  disease  may  become  epizootic,  as  influenza  in  horses. 
An  enzootic  disease  is  due  to  a  local  cause  and  it  may  also  attack 
large  numbers  over  a  large  tract  of  country.  Specific  diseases 
are  at  times  enzootic ;  glanders  might  be  or  rabies.  A  sporadic 
disease  is  one  which  occurs  in  single  scattered  cases  without 
specificity.     Diseases  of  this  kind  are  non-contagious  diseases. 

THE    BLOOD. 

Arterial  blood  is  scarlet ;  venous  blood  is  blue ;  dead  blood  is 
black.  Under  the  microscope  blood  is  nearly  colorless.  It  is 
made  up  of  water  and  salts  and  the  red  and  white  blood  cor- 
puscles. It  also  contains  fibrin  forming  elements;  fi*brin  itself 
does  not  appear  in  the  circulating  blood.  The  function  of  the 
blood  is  to  carry  nutrition.  If  the  circulation  is  disturbed  a 
disturbance  of  the  nutrition  will  occur.  Some  parts  of  the  body 
suffer  more  from  interrupted  nutrition  than  others,  the  brain  for 


16  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

instance.      The    amount   of    intelligence    in   an    animal    depends 
largely  upon  the  amount  and  character  of  the  brain  circulation. 
The  composition  of  the  blood  is  as  follows : 

Water    , 784  parts  to  1000 

Corpuscles    131  parts  to  1000 

Albumin,   salines  and 

extractives    70  parts  to  1000 

Fibrin    2.2  parts  to  1000 

Any  material  change  in  the  blood  either  produces  disease  or 
is  the  result  of  disease.  If  the  solids  increase  the  water  de- 
creases; if  the  solids  decrease  the  water  increases.  An  excess 
of  solids  and  a  decreased  amount  of  water  is  designated  as 
PLETHORA.  Anaemia  is  the  condition  in  which  there  is  a  de- 
crease in  the  solids  and  an  increase  in  the  water.  A  plethoric 
animal  is  said  to  have  very  rich  blood ;  the  blood  vessels  are  in- 
creased in  size,  the  pulse  is  stronger  and  the  mucous  membranes 
are  brighter.  Plethora  disposes  the  horse  to  certain  diseases  as 
AZOTURiA  for  instance,  and  acute  plethoric  lymphangitis.  In 
these  diseases  there  is  an  excess  of  the  solids  in  the  blood  at  the 
expense  of  the  water.  Plethora  itself,  however,  does  not  con- 
stitute a  disease. 

The  symptoms  of  anaemia  are: 

Paleness  of  mucous  membranes. 
Decrease  in  the  size  of  the  blood  vessels. 
Decrease  in  the  strength  of  the  pulse. 
General  debility. 

Liberal  feeding,  especially  of  nitrogenous  food  and  moderate 
work  are  the  causes  of  plethora.  Debilitating  diseases,  chronic 
indigestion,  and  poor  food,  and  certain  parasites  cause  an?emia 
of  the  body. 

Physiology  teaches  that  fibrin  is  decreased  in  certain  animals 
and  they  bleed  easily.  Such  a  condition  is  called  hemophilia, 
where  an  excessive  hemorrhage  will  occur  from  a  small  wound. 
For  example,  a  colt  sweating  blood  is  a  case  of  hemophilia. 
Cases  of  castration  occur  in  which  the  colts  are  disposed  to 
bleed.  Cats  have  more  fibrin  in  their  blood  than  any  other 
animal.     It  is  said  that  you  cannot  bleed  a  cat  to  death. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  17 

Fibrin  is  also  decreased  in  certain  diseases.  In  pregnancy 
there  is  a  decreased  amount  of  fibrin.  Some  idiosyncracy  may 
be  a  factor  in  causing  a  lack  of  fibrin  in  the  blood.  The  function 
of  fibrin  is  to  prevent  hemorrhage ;  if  it  were  not  for  fibrin  every 
animal  would  bleed  to  death. 

Anaemic  animals  are  lacking  in  fibrin;  animals  starving  to 
death  are  an  exception.  The  fibrin  in  their  blood  is  increased. 
A  local  blister  increases  the  fibrin  in  the  adjacent  tissues.  During 
debilitating  diseases  as  in  purpura  hemorrhagica,  the  fibrin  is 
decreased. 

PULSE. 

To  define  the  pulse  concisely  is  difficult ;  the  various  dic- 
tionaries give  a  variety  of  definitions.  Probably  the  American 
Pocket  Dictionary  has  the  best.  According  to  it  the  pulse  is 
the  expansion  and  contraction  of  the  arteries  as  the  result  of  the 
action  of  the  heart.  The  latter  part  of  the  definition  is  necessary 
for  the  vessels  are  dependent  upon  the  action  of  the  heart. 

Arteries  have  three  coats,  the  middle  one,  which  consists  of 
non-striated  muscle,  the  inner  one,  the  intima,  and  the  outer  one 
or  the  adventitia.  The  muscle  is  controlled  by  the  vaso-motor 
system,  which  maintains  the  tonicity  of  the  vessels.  The  vaso- 
motor system  is  dependent  upon  the  general  condition  of  the 
body  for  its  vitality. 

The  pulse  depends  upon  the  tonicity  of  the  arterial  muscles. 

These  muscles  depend  upon  the  vaso-motor  system. 

The  vaso-motor  system  depends  upon  the  general  condition. 

A  horse  might  appear  to  be  in  apparently  good  health  but 
if  his  pulse  runs  up  to  60  or  drops  a  beat  now  and  again,  then 
something  is  wrong  with  him.  The  pulse  is  the  index  to  the 
nervous  system. 

The  Effect  of  an  Acute  Inflammatory  Disease  Upon  the 
Pulse. — In  the  first  stage  the  nervous  system  is  excited;  the 
pulse  is  strong,  full,  regular  and  increased  in  frequency  a  little. 
In  the  second  stage  the  nervous  system  is  still  more  excited,  but 
the  pulse  is  growing  weaker.  Under  such  a  condition  the  pulse 
is  rapid,  smaller  and  weaker  than  normal.     In  the  third  stage, 


18  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

supposing  it  to  be  fatal,  the  general  system  is  becoming  ex- 
hausted, and  the  pulse  keeps  growing  weaker  until  finally  it 
becomes  imperceptible,  the  heart  ceases  to  beat  and  the  animal 
is  dead. 

The  pulse  of  the  horse  varies  from  35-45  beats  per  minute. 
Under  different  conditions,  on  account  of  some  idiosyncrasy,  or 
external  influences  such  as  heat,  cold,  exercise,  etc.,  the  pulse  of 
the  horse  may  be  faster  or  slower  than  35.  In  taking  the  pulse 
approach  the  horse  slowly  and  quietly,  and  in  an  unconcerned 
manner  place  one  hand  high  up  on  his  nose  to  steady  the  head. 
The  right  hand  is  the  best  to  use.  Let  the  other  feel  for  the 
sub-maxillary  artery.  Roll  the  artery  with  the  fingers  making 
sure  of  its  location,  and  then  count  the  pulse.  Give  the  animal 
time  to  quite  down,  else  the  first  count  will  be  too  high,  due  to 
tlie  excitement  of  your  approach.  Do  not  look  the  horse  in  the 
eye.     It  makes  him  nervous. 

The  pulse  of  the  ox  runs  from  45  to  50,  with  an  average 
of  45.  The  pulse  of  the  sheep  runs  from  70  to  80,  with  an 
average  of  72  or  75.  The  pulse  of  the  dog  is  72,  the  same  as 
in  the  human. 

In  the  ox  it  is  not  best  to  take  the  pulse  from  the  sub- 
maxillary artery,  for  the  skin  over  that  region  is  thick,  loose  and 
pendulous,  and  this  makes  it  difficult  to  find  the  pulse  beat  or 
if  found  to  determine  its  correct  character.  The  carotid  artery 
in  the  neck  is  more  suitable.  Work  the  fingers  under  the  margin 
of  the  levator  humeri  and  feel  for  the  artery.  In  the  sheep,  if 
the  wool  extends  far  down  on  the  legs,  then  listen  to  the  heart. 

Of  the  various  kinds  of  pulse  we  have  the  following: 

1.  Frequent    and    infrequent — 

referring  to  the  number  of  beats  per 
minute.  Physiological  conditions  and 
disease  cause  the  pulse  to  vary. 

2.  Quick     and     slo  w — referring     to 

the  actual  time  of  each  individual 
beat. 

3.  Large     and     smal  1 — with    refer- 

ence to  the  volume  of  blood  making 
up  the  pulse  wave. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE. 


19 


4.  Hard  and  sof t — this  characteristic 
measures   the   compressibiHty   of   the 
artery. 
When  the  pulse  gets  very  small  and  hard,  it  is  said  to  be 
^viry— the  artery   feels  like  a  wire— or  thready,  as   it  is   some- 
times  called.     In   inflammatory  diseases   of  mucous  membranes 
the  pulse  is  not  as  wiry  as  in  the  inflammation  of  serous  mem- 
branes.    A  pulse  is  soft  because  it  is  more  compressible  than 
normal.     This  is  due  to  prostration  of  the  nervous  system.     The 
softest  pulse  we  ever  meet  with  is  that  of  acute  bronchitis— a 
very  light  pressure  will  cut  it  off  entirely. 

The  dicrotic  pulse  is  one  composed  of  two  beats,  both 
of  which  correspond  to  one  beat  of  the  heart.  The  two  beats 
are  quite  distinguishable  to  the  touch.  The  phenomenon  is  only 
an  exaggeration  of  what  occurs  in  the  normal  pulse.  After  each 
systole  the  volume  of  blood  in  the  aorta  recoils,  thus  developing 
a  new  positive  wave,  the  dicrotic  wave  or  recoil  wave.  In  certain 
fevers,  when  the  pulse  is  soft,  this  secondary  wave  can  be  felt. 
The  best  illustration  of  a  dicrotic  pulse  can  be  found  in  a  case  of 
azoturia  three  days  old.  In  this  condition  there  is  not  force 
enough  in  the  left  ventricle  to  empty  itself  and  the  systolic  action 
is  wavering.  The  natural  effect  of  this  is  to  produce  passive 
congestion  in  the  capillaries. 

An  irregular  pulse  is  non-rhythmic  in  its  action ;  it  may 
be  irregular  in  frequency,  i.  e.,  it  may  beat  at  60  and  then  jump 
up  to  80  or  90,  then  drop  back  again.  Or  the  pulse  may  be 
irregular  in  character;  this  is  apt  to  occur  when  the  force  of 
the  heart  muscle  is  not  equal  to  the  work  it  has  to  do. 

An  intermittent  pulse  drops  one  or  more  beats  or 
even  part  of  a  beat  at  intervals.  The  intermittency  may  be  reg- 
ular or  irregular.  Convalescent  cases  of  pneumonia  are  apt  to 
develop  an  intermittent  pulse.  The  most  common  form  is  a 
drop  of  every  fifth  beat;  an  irregular  intermittency  may  occur 
as  a  drop  of  every  fifth,  seventh  and  seventeenth  beat,  etc. 

Venous  Pulsed— This  is  seen  in  the  jugular  vein,  due  to 
weak  cardiac  action.  It  is  produced  by  the  blood  flowing  back 
into  the  jugular  during  the  systolic  action  of  the  right  side  of 
the  heart.     In  horses  the  jugular  pulse  always  indicates  a  weak 


20  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

heart.     In  the  ox  and  other  ruminants  we  get  the  jugular  pulse 
during  rumination, — purely  a  physiological  condition. 

The  pulse  is  the  most  important  means  of  making  a  diagnosis. 
One  should  become  familiar  with  the  various  kinds  of  pulse. 
The  sense  of  touch  should  be  cultivated  so  as  to  be  able  to 
differentiate  the  characteristics  of  the  pulse. 

TEMPERATURE. 

As  regards  the  temperature  of  animals  there  are  two  con- 
ditions to  be  found;  warm-blooded  animals  maintain  an  even 
temperature  regardless  of  the  surrounding  medium.  Cold- 
blooded animals  have  the  same  temperature  as  the  medium  in 
which  they  live.  All  mammals  are  warm-blooded;  amphibians, 
fishes  and  insects  are  cold-blooded. 

In  a  warm-blooded  animal  any  rise  in  temperature  denotes  a 
fever ;  any  loss  denotes  waning  vitality.  The  amount  of  the  fever 
is  measured  by  the  number  of  degrees  of  rise  in  temperature; 
the  subnormal  tem.perature  is  measured  by  the  number  of  degrees 
the  temperature  is  lowered. 

The  normal  temperature  of  the  horse  is  100;  if  the  temper- 
ature rises  above  104,  the  case  is  serious,  and  if  above  106, 
dangerous.  The  temperature  may  rise  to  107,  109,  or  possibly 
higher  and  recover  if  reduced  promptly,  i.  e.,  in  a  few  hours. 
But  if  a  horse's  temperature  stands  at  106  for  a  week  he  will 
die;  at  107  for  three  days,  or  109  for  three  hours,  or  110  for 
one  hour,  a  horse  will  die.  A  sub-normal  temperature  of  93  is 
always  fatal  in  the  horse.  In  fact  2  degrees  below  normal  is 
very  dangerous  and  nearly  always  fatal. 

It  is  not  safe  to  guess  at  the  temperature,  the  practitioner  must 
measure  it  with  a  clinical  thermometer.  The  best  place  to  take 
the  temperature  is  at  the  anus,  although  there  is  some  danger 
in  inserting  the  thermometer.  The  animal  may  not  like  it  and 
resist  and  kick.  Therefore  always  stand  to  one  side  of  the  horse, 
he  cannot  kick  out  at  the  side.  When  inserting  the  thermometer 
in  the  anus,  notice  whether  it  is  closed  or  not.  In  nervous 
prostration  it  is  usually  relaxed  and  the  thermometer  must  be 
held  in  place. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  21 

A  sub-normal  temperature  may  be  produced  artificially  at  a 
much  lower  point  than  it  can  occur  in  disease.  The  best  records 
of  this  are  in  the  human.  Practitioner  Peters  took  the  tem- 
perature of  a  woman  found  drunk  in  the  winter  and  it  was  78.8; 
she  recovered.  This  is  the  lowest  case  on  record.  It  is  said 
that  an  animal  cooled  to  75.2  will  die. 

^  The  following  is  a  table  of  the  temperature  of  the  domestic 
animals,  taken  from  the  German  with  the  addition  of  Dr. 
Baker's : 

Animal.  No.  of  Observ.    German.  Baker. 

Horse  7S  99.9  100 

Ox  16  103.4  101-2 

SHeep  39  103.1  102-3 

Dog  162  102.6  101-5 

Hog  13  103.4  102  (Brog.) 

Fowls  ..  106.7-111         107-111 

The  temperature  varies  somewhat  according  to  the  atmos- 
pheric conditions  and  depends  upon  the  amount  of  exercise  to 
which  the  animal  has  been  subjected.  In  taking  the  temperature 
the  animal  must  be  quiet,  exercise  raises  the  temperature.  Driv- 
ing animals  raises  their  temperature,  especially  hogs,  whose  fat 
prevents  them  from  cooling  off. 

In  conducting  the  mallein  test  for  glanders  in  horses,  the 
temperature  should  be  taken  before  feeding  and  drinking;  cold 
water  lowers  the  temperature.  The  animals  should  be  com- 
fortably placed  so  as  not  to  cause  them  any  excitement. 

CONGESTION. 

Congestion  (Latin  conger e,  to  heap  up)  is  defined  as  the 
increased  flow  of  blood  to  a  part.  It  is  also  called  hyperaemia, 
meaning  an  excess  of  blood.  It  is  divided  into  Active  and  Pass- 
ive. The  active  is  confined  to  the  arterial  system,  the  passive 
to  the  venous.  There  is  also  another  congestion  which  is  called 
HYPOSTATIC.  Congestion  is  described  with  the  name  of  the 
organ  affected;  as,  cerebral,  hepatic,  renal  etc. 

A  physiological  congestion  may  be  produced  by  nature  to 
allow  the  organ  to  perform  its  function.     For  example,  as  par- 


22  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

turition  approaches,  the  mammary  glands  become  congested  in 
order  to  stimulate  the  cells  to  secrete  the  milk.  Otherwise 
agalactia  would  be  the  result. 

The  causes  of  active  congestion  are: 

1.  Increased  blood  pressure. 

2.  Diminished  arterial  resistance. 

The  Brst  is  due  to  an  obstruction  in  one  part  causing  an  in- 
creased volume  of  blood  to  another,  thus  raising  the  pressure 
in  the  vessels.  At  first  their  walls  remain  practically  of  the 
same  diameter,  but  later  on  become  dilated  by  the  increased 
volume  of  blood. 

The  second  is  caused  by  the  nerves ;  the  vaso-constrictors 
become  depressed  and  as  a  result  the  arterioles  dilate. 

Whatever  the  irritating  factor  causing  congestion,  the  imme- 
diate effect  of  it  is  a  spasmodic  contraction  of  the  blood  vessels. 
Dilatation  then  follows ;  the  red  blood  corpuscles  pile  up  in  the 
enlarged  lumen  of  the  blood  vessel,  forming  rouleaux,  while  the 
leucocytes  take  up  their  position  along  the  vessel  wall  to  which 
they  apply  themselves  very  closely.  By  means  of  their  ameboid 
movements  and  on  account  of  the  increased  pressure  they  work 
their  way  through  the  vessel  into  the  surrounding  tissues.  At 
the  same  time  a  considerable  amount  of  blood  plasma  has  exuded 
into  the.  tissues.  The  blood  current  has  slowed  down  so  that 
there  is  almost  complete  stasis,  the  blood  is  thicker  and  more 
viscid,  and  the  red  blood  corpuscles  may  become  pressed  out  into 
the  tissues  either  by  diapedesis  or  rhexis. 

In  hemorrhage  by  diapedesis  the  blood  passes  out  into  the 
tissues  through  the  pores  of  the  vessels, — the  plasma,  the  leu- 
cocytes, and  some  few  red  blood  corpuscles.  In  hemorrhage  by 
rhexis  the  pressure  is  so  great  that  a  rupture  occurs  in  the  vessel 
wall,  and  the  whole  number  of  the  blood  elements  passes  through 
the  rupture.  As  a  result  we  get  an  extravasation  of  blood,  a 
patch  of  tissue  outside  a  vessel  infiltrated  with  blood.  Oedema 
is  produced  by  hemorrhage  by  diapedesis. 

If  the  congestion  in  the  vessel  is  severe  enough  to  plug  it, 
an  infarction  may  result.  The  stasis  of  blood  in  the  vessel  cuts 
off  the  nutrition  from  the  surroundins:  tissues  and  thev  die.  This 
is   most   apt   to  occur  where   there   is  no   collateral   circulation. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  23 

Petechise  are  small  red  spots  formed  by  the  blood  oozing  out 
through  the  vessel.  When  a  more  extensive  hemorrhage  forms 
it  is  called  ecchymosis.  Hemophilia  is  an  abnormal  tendency  to 
bleeding.    It  is  usually  hereditary. 

After  an  excessive  hemorrhage, — one  that  would  produce 
infarction,  gangrene  is  apt  to  follow.  Moderate  congestion 
maintained  for  any  length  of  time,  i.  e.,  indefinitely,  will  result 
in  hypertrophy.  The  opposite  extreme,  anaemia,  will  produce 
atrophy  of  a  part. 

The  causes  of  passive  congestion  are: 

1.  ]\Iechanical  obstruction. 

2.  Diminished  cardiac  power. 

3.  Gravitation. 

4.  Altered  conditions  of  the  blood. 

5.  Defective  secretion. 

The  last  four  of  these  causes  we  speak  of  as  more  compli- 
cated. The  natural  result  of  diminished  cardiac  power  is  less 
force  to  drive  the  blood  through  the  vessels.  The  venous  system 
especially  suffers.     Passive  congestion  of  the  lungs  is  common. 

Passive  congestion  by  gravitation  is  seen  in  horses  whose 
legs  stock  or  swell  up.  The  cause  of  this  is  a  poor  circulation  in 
which  the  walls  of  the  blood  vessels  are  weak  and  the  veins 
become  dilated,  and  the  blood  settles  in  them  by  gravitation. 

Altered  conditions  of  the  blood  are  seen  especially  in  black- 
leg, in  which  the  quarters  swell  up,  forming  crackling  tumors. 
When  one  of  these  is  punctured,  bloody  water  flows  out;  the 
blood  is  tarry  from  the  action  of  the  germs  causing  the  disease. 
The  swollen  quarters  are  passively  congested. 

Defective  excretions  in  an  animal  cause  oedematous  swellings. 
In  other  words,  the  emunctories  are  inactive.  For  instance,  a 
horse's  legs  swell — he  is  otherwise  in  good  health — give  him 
a  purgative  and  the  oedema  will  disappear. 

The  topical  signs  of  active  congestion  are  as  follows: 

1.  Redness — Rubor. 

2.  Enlargement  and  swelling  of  arterioles 

and    thickening   of    their    walls — Tu- 
mor. 

3.  Heat — Calor. 


24  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

4.  Pain — Dolor. 

5.  Altered  function  of  the  affected  organ. 

The  swelling  in  active  congestion  is  resilient — press  the  part 
with  the  finger  and  the  depression  at  once  vanishes. 
The  topical  signs  of  passive  congestion  are : 

1.  Swelling  of  an  oedematous  nature,  i.  e., 

doughy,  inelastic;  swollen  tissue  pits 
on  pressure. 

2.  Congested     area     is     sharply     circum- 

scribed. 

3.  Passive  congestion  tends  to  degenera- 

tion, never  to  inflammation. 

In  active  congestion  the  swelling  is  resilient,  it  fades  away 
imperceptibly  into  the  healthy  part ;  the  congestion  tends  to  run 
into  inflammation  on  account  of  altered  nutrition ;  the  liquid 
oozing  through'  the  pores  of  the  vessels  is  plastic  and  the  swell- 
ing is  apt  to  become  permanent;  and  it  may  produce  death  by 
gangrene. 

In  passive  congestion  the  swelling  is  doughy,  and  is  sharply 
circumscribed ;  the  congestion  tends  to  degeneration,  never  in- 
flammation ;  the  liquid  oozing  through  the  pores  of  the  veins  is 
not  inclined  to  coagulate  nor  organize. 

In  passive  congestion  of  the  lungs  an  apparently  paradoxical 
condition  occurs  because  the  blood  leading  tO'  the  lungs  is  venous, 
although  carried  by  arteries ;  and  that  going  away  is  arterial, 
but  carried  by  veins.  We  call  it  passive  congestion  of  the 
lungs  when  due  to  defective  cardiac  power,  and  active  when  due 
to  diminished  arterial  resistence. 

RESULTS  OF  ACTIVE  CONGESTION. 

When  active  congestion  occurs  in  a  part  of  considerable  size 
and  that  in  excess,  moist  gangrene  results.  Gangrene  is  of  two 
kinds,  moist  and  dry.  Moist  gangrene  occurs  in  tissues  whose 
nutrition  has  been  suddenly  cut  off  and  which  therefore  dies. 
The  dead  part  is  moist  gangrene.  Dry  gangrene  is  the  result  of 
starvation,  that  is,  when  the  nutrition  to  a  part  is  slowly  cut  off. 

In  moist  gangrene  the  part  is  cold,  insensible,  and  if  punc- 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  25 

tured  a# moisture  comes  out.  If  occur ing  in  white  skin  the  color 
is  black.  In  the  horse  the  color  of  the  gangrenous  part  is  not 
so  well  contrasted.  The  dead  part  decomposes  rapidly  and  sul- 
phuretted hydrogen  is  produced,  which  is  found  in  solution  in 
the  moisture  of  the  decomposing  mass,  giving  it  the  odor  of 
rotten  eggs,  a  most  characteristic  smell.  A  silver  probe  inserted 
in  the  tissue  will  at  once  become  black.  Between  the  living 
and  the  dead  parts  there  is  a  red  line  of  demarcation.  If  the 
gangrenous  portion  is  small,  the  part  may  slough  off,  the  separa- 
tion taking  place  at  the  line  of  demarcation.  By  getting  rid  of 
the  dead  part  the  life  of  the  animal  is  saved;  but  if  the  dead 
portion  is  too  large  to  remove,  absorption  of  the  putrefactive 
matters  takes  place  and  poisons  the  blood  and  kills  the  animal. 
The  dead  part  is  usually  spoken  of  as  having  a  cadaverous  smell. 

In  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia 
in  1887,  the  disease  was  found  to  have  existed  for  two  years 
among  the  cows  in  the  distillery  sheds  fed  on  distillery  slops. 
Amongst  these  cows  were  many  with  bob-tails  and  it  was  said 
that  the  bull-dogs  had  bitten  them  off.  But  upon  inquiry  it  was 
found  that  these  animals  had  been  inoculated  against  pleuro- 
pneumonia, and  that  a  careless  method  of  inoculation  (serum 
probably  decomposed)  had  set  up  a  violent  inflammation  in  their 
tails.    These  had  become  gangrenous  and  had  sloughed  off. 

Moist  gangrene  often  occurs  in  the  lower  lobe  of  the  lung. 
The  part  cannot  slough  off  and  the  animal  dies  from  absorption 
of  putrefactive  products. 

If  moist  gangrene  occurs  in  a  small  part  it  is  called  necrosis. 

In  fistulous  withers  we  speak  of  the  dead  parts  removed  as 
necrotic  tissue. 

Dry  gangrene  is  death  of  tissue  when  the  part  dies  from 
inanition,  i.  e.,  slowly  starving  to  death.  The  part  becomes 
paler  and  paler,  losing  its  natural  heat  in  proportion  to  the  lack 
of  nutrition. 

The  results  of  dry  gangrene  are: 

1.  Mummification — the     part     dries     up, 

shrivels,   and   dies;   it   hangs  on   and 
will  not  drop  off. 

2.  Chalky     degeneration      (calcareous) — 


26  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

most  common  in  the  human.  '  In  this 
condition  the  chalky  portion  crumbles 
off  as  in  leprosy.     It  never  occurs  in 
horses. 
A  common  example  of  dry  gangrene  may  be  seen  in  a  sitfast 
on  the  horse.     It  is  caused  by  the  screws  of  the  saddle  extending 
too   far  down  and  producing  pressure  upon  the  skin;  the  part 
loses  blood   and   dries,   becoming  gangrenous   and   insensible   to 
pain.     It  does  not  slough,  but  finally  produces  a  zone  of  inflam- 
mation around  it.    The  only  way  to  cure  it  is  to  remove  the  dead 
part  and  to  remove  the  cause. 

THROMBOSIS  AND  EMBOLISM. 

A  thrombus  is  a  plug  or  clot  in  a  vessel  remaining  at  the 
point  of  formiation.  An  embolus  is  a  clot  or  other  plug  brought 
bv  the  blood  current  from  a  distant  vessel  and  forced  into  a 
smaller  one,  thereby  obstructing  the  circulation. 

Thrombosis  is  the  coagulation  of  the  blood  within  the  heart 
or  blood  vessels  during  life — it  is  the  plugging  of  a  vessel  by 
a  thrombus.  Embolism  is  produced  by  an  embolus,  which  is  a 
body  floating  in  the  blood  until  it  lodges  in  a  vessel  too  small  for 
it  to  pass  through.  In  either  case  active  congestion  would  be 
produced  by  increased  blood  pressure.  When  a  thrombus  forms 
in  a  part  wdiich  has  no  collateral  circulation,  the  part  dies  from 
inanition.  In  the  brain  there  is  no  free  anastomosis  between  the 
vessels  and  if  emboli  lodge  in  them  the  tissues  soon  degenerate 
and  die. 

In  embolism  a  clot  has  formed  perhaps  on  the  valve  of  the 
heart,  or  a  little  fibrin  lodged  among  the  chordae  tendine?e :  a 
little  piece  floats  off  to  some  distant  vessel  and  lodges,  forming 
an  embolism.  An  illustration  of  this  may  be  seen  in  a  horse 
which  suddenly  becomes  lame ;  he  drives  all  right  for  two  or  three 
miles  and  then  suddenly  goes  lame  on  one  leg,  in  a  few  minutes 
is  practically  on  three  legs.  He  sweats  profusely  and  the  af- 
fected leg  is  cold.  After  rest  he  is  all  right,  but  this  experience 
occurs  again  and  again  until  he  is  practically  useless.  The  cause 
is  an  arterial  embolus.     During  exercise  the  collateral  circulation 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  27 

of  the  leg  is  not  sufficient  and  congestion  occurs  producing  lame- 
ness. Severe  exercise  would  have  caused  gangrene  if  the  horse 
had  not  become  so  lame  that  he  could  not  go  any  further. 

An  ante-mortem  clot  is  light  colored ;  a  post-mortem  clot  is 
black.  In  making  a  post-mortem  we  often  "find  in  the  cavities 
of  the  heart  a  clot  resembling  chicken  fat,  lodged  among  the 
valves, — a  soft  and  friable  mass.  The  remaining  portions  of 
the  cavities  are  filled  with  black  clots.  The  chicken  fat  clot  is 
formed  before  death;  it  varies  in  color  and  density,  from  a  soft 
yellow  substance  to  a  fibrinous  grayish  mass.  The  old  ante- 
mortem  clots  are  usually  found  in  the  posterior  aorta  or  in  the 
iliac  arteries.  They  are  more  or  less  hard  and  somewhat  elastic, 
rather  filling  the  vessels.  The  degree  of  hardness  indicates  their 
time  of  formation.  Very  hard  clots  may  have  formed  months 
back,  even  years  perhaps.  An  ante-mortem  clot  consists  of 
fibrin,  leucocytes  and  some  few  red  blood  corpuscles,  which  fade 
out. 

A  post-mortem  clot  consists  of  all  the  elements  of  the  blood 
and  if  the  coagulation  is  rapid  is  of  a  dark  red  or  black  color. 

An  IRRITANT  is  anything  that  produces  a  local  disturbance  pri- 
marily and  a  constitutional  disturbance  secondarily.  It  is  a  sub- 
stance which  when  applied  to  a  part  causes  a  greater  or  less  de- 
gree of  vascular  excitement.  The  stimulating  influence  of  an 
irritant  may  simply  alter  the  function  of  the  part,  it  may  pro- 
duce marked  congestion  and  it  may  result  in  inflammation. 

The  effects  of  local  irritants  are  usually  the  same  as  in  active 
congestion, — redness,  swelling,  heat  and  pain.  The  topical  signs 
are  the  same  also. 

It  is  the  action  of  an  irritant  to  stimulate,  but  the  various 
irritants  do  this  in  different  ways.  For  example,  alcohol  in- 
creases the  function  and  circulatory  action  of  the  heart  without 
irritating  it ;  on  the  other  hand  turpentine  irritates  the  part  to 
which  it  is  applied.  If  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  be  given 
internally  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  will  be  irri- 
tated and  stimulated.  If  the  dose  is  increased,  it  produces  in- 
creased functional  activity  through  the  increased  local  irritation 
upon  the  mucous  lining  of  the  stomach. 

The  secondary   or  constitutional    disturbance   of   an   irritant 


28  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

is  produced  by  reflex  action.  For  example,  the  local  irritation 
of  a  nail  prick  in  the  navicular  bursa  causes  pain.  This  is 
transmitted  to  the  brain  by  the  efferent  nerves,  where  this  irri- 
tation may  stimulate  the  efferent  nerves,  and  as  a  result  be 
carried  to  all  parts  of  the  body,  causing  an  increase  in  the  tem- 
perature, in  the  frequency  and  hardness  of  the  pulse,  and  in  the 
respiration.  Eventually  a  general  emaciation  results.  These 
effects  may  be  mild  or  they  may  cause  death,  but  they  all  come 
as  the  result  of  the  action  of  some  irritant. 

INFLAMMATION. 

A  constitutional  disturbance  carried  to  the  extreme  always 
produces  inflammation.  According  to  Gould  inflammation 
(Latin  inflammare,  to  burn)  is  a  condition  of  nutritive  disturb- 
ance, characterized  by  hyperaemia,  with  the  proliferation  of  the 
tissue  cells,  and  attended  by  one  or  more  symptoms  of  redness, 
swelling,  heat,  pain,  discoloration  and  disordered  function. 

As  a  result  the  part  may  be  very  much  discolored. 

To  appreciate  an  inflammation  keep  in  mind  active  conges- 
tion ;  it  is  impossible  to  have  an  inflammation  without  active  con- 
gestion, although  we  may  have  active  congestion  without  inflam- 
m.ation.  Viscidity  of  the  fluids  of  the  blood  and  tissues  plays 
an  important  part.  The  increased  fibrin  causes  bad  results  and 
aggravates  inflammatory  tendencies. 

In  inflammation  the  topical  characteristics  of  active  conges- 
tion are  exaggerated,  more  pain,  burning  and  throbbing.  The 
proliferation  of  cells  as  the  result  of  inflammation  is  seen  in 
the  healing  of  wounds.  It  has  been  said  by  some  that  inflam- 
mation cannot  occur  without  cell  proliferation,  but  I  (Dr.  Baker) 
say  that  it  can ;  the  process  of  inflammation  may  be  going  on 
for  hours  before  any  proliferation  of  cells  takes  place.  But 
altered  function  is  inseparable  from  inflammation;  inflammation 
cannot  occur  without  altered  function. 

Inflammation  terminates  by  resolution  when  the  inflammatory 
deposits  soften,  liquefy  and  resolve,  leaving  no  traces  of  the 
disease  behind.     If  anv  trace  is  left,  it  is  not  resolution. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  29 

The  stages  of  inflammation  are  three : 

1.  Hot  dry  stage. 

2.  Wet  stage — the  stage  of  efifusion. 

3.  Stage  of  suppuration,  or  formation  of 

pus. 

The  hot,  burning  stage  is  characterized  by  hyperaemia,  exuda- 
tion of  plastic  substances,  infiltration  of  the  surrounding  tissues, 
discoloration  of  the  tissues  in  the  form  of  redness  and  suspension 
of  function.     This  stage  is  short,  an  average  of  six  hours. 

In  the  wet  stage,  or  stage  of  effusion,  serum  exudes  from 
the  blood  vessels.  The  serum  is  thin,  non-coagulable  (not  plas- 
tic) ;  it  infiltrates  the  surrounding  tissues  and  produces  oedema. 
This  second  stage  is  long,  indefinite,  lasting  from  a  day  or  two 
to  a  month  or  more.  It  is  called  the  wet  stage  from  the  effusion 
of  serum.  It  is  particularly  illustated  in  the  inflammation  of 
mucous  membranes. 

The  formation  of  pus  in  the  third  stage  is  brought  about  by 
the  disorganization  of  tissue  in  which  the  inflammation  occurs. 
The  eft'usion  of  serum,  pressure  upon  the  nerves,  and  altered 
nutrition  in  a  part  result  in  a  small  focus  of  disorganized  tis- 
sue, which  eventually  grows  into  a  cavity  containing  pus. 
The  pus-forming  germs  are  most  commonly  the  cocci  (strepto- 
and  staphylo).  These  germs  inoculated  into  healthy  tissue  will 
produce  suppuration,  but  is  it  possible  to  produce  a  suppurative 
inflammation  without  them.  Hamilton,  the  Scotch  pathologist, 
demonstrates  this  as  follows : 

Sterilize  the  surface  of  a  part,  make  an  incision,  and  insert 
a  sterile  capsule  containing  a  drop  of  croton  oil.  Seal  over  the 
wound  with  collodion  and  after  three  days  you  will  find  pus, 
but  no  germs.  As  soon  as  the  capsule  is  dissolved,  the  croton 
oil  cauterizes  the  part  setting  up  an  inflammation  which  runs 
the  various  stages  until  pus  is  formed. 

Of  the  various  terms  used  in  describing  inflammation,  we 
have  the  following: 

Induration — swelling  hardens. 

Adhesion — a  growing  together  of  two  surfaces;  seen  es- 
pecially in  pleurisy,  where  the  costal  pleura  adheres  to  the  pul- 
monary pleura. 


30  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

Organization — the  inflammatory  deposits  (the  proliferating 
cells,  coagulated  albumen,  fibrin,  etc.)  become  permanent  by  the 
growth  of  the  connective  tissue  cells,  new  formation  of  blood 
vessels,  and  the  penetration  of  new  nerves,  the  previous  seat  of 
inflammation  becoming  a  permanent  part  of  the  animal. 

Disorganization — a  degeneration  and  liquefying  of  tissue. 
In  case  of  resolution,  the  softening,  liquefaction  and  absorption 
occur,  leaving  the  part  perfectly  healthy. 

As  a  last  result  of  inflammation  we  may  get  gangrene, — 
both  moist  and  dry.  It  will  not  differ  from  that  of  active  con- 
gestion, except  that  it  will  be  more  pronounced  and  will  occur 
more  frequently. 

DEATH. 

The  time  comes  when  every  animal  must  die.  With  the  vet- 
erinarian there  is  little  sentiment  about  this  event.  It  is  im- 
possible to  define  it;  if  we  say  that  it  is  the  cessation  of  life  the 
question  immediately  arises,  What  is  life?  But  we  do  not  know. 
However,  we  consider  animal  to  be  a  machine  dependent  upon 
three  vital  functionating  systems: 

1.  Hydraulic  system, — that   including  the 

heart  and  blood  vessels. 

2.  Pneumatic  system, — that   made   up    of 

the  respiratory  apparatus. 

3.  Nervous  s^^stem, — that  composed  of  the 

brain,    medulla,    spinal    cord    and 

nerves. 
In  general,  we  may  say  that  death  occurs  by  iriferniption 
of  one  of  these  three  systems  every  time.'  Interruption  of  the 
function  of  one  will  cause  death,  without  reference  to  the  other 
tv/o.  These  three  are  the  vital  means  of  sustaining  life,  and  if 
one  ceases  to  functionate,  the  other  two  will  also. 

Some  pathologists  record  a  fourth  channel  through  which 
death  may  occur, — the  blood,  the  poisoning  of  which  (nec- 
raemia)  results  in  death.  But  this  in  turn  acts  upon  the  nervous 
system  to  which  in  such  a  condition  the  cause  of  death  may  be 
referred. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  '  31 

Death  due  to  interruption  of  the  heart's  action  is  called  syn- 
cope, and  there  are  two  kinds : 

1.  Sudden — sthenic. 

2.  Slozv — asthenic. 

Sthenic  syncope  (sudden  heart  failure)  is  purely  func- 
tional. The  nerves  propelling  the  heart  lose  their  irritability 
and  the  heart  ceases  to  beat.  In  this  condition  there  is  no  morbid 
anatomy,  no  premonitory  symptoms  of  death.  The  heart  stops 
beating  suddenl3\ 

In  the  asthenic  form  there  is  morbid  anatomy  and  there  are 
premonitory  symptoms  of  imminent  death.  The  horse  will  have 
repeated  attacks  of  dangerous  heart  failure,  indicating  valvular 
msufficiency,  or  aneurism  of  the  aorta,  etc. 

Sthenic  syncope  occurs  in  two  forms : 

1.  Paralysis   of  the   motor   nerves   of  the 

heart,  in  which  condition  the  heart  is 
large,  soft,  and  in  a  few  hours  after 
death  will  be  full  of  a  black  post- 
mortem clot. 

2.  Tonic    spasm,    in   which    condition    the 

heart  is  small,  hard  and  empty,  i.  e., 
when  the  animal  is  posted.     The  rea- 
son for  this  is  that  the  heart  contract- 
ed and  failed  to  relax.     If  the  animal 
had   died    during   diastole,    the   heart 
would    be    large,   soft   and    full;   but 
during   systole,    death   finds    it    small 
hard   and   empty.     This   condition  of 
the  heart  is  seen  in  death  from  tetan- 
us, in  which  there  are  tonic  spasms 
of  the  whole  body. 
Sthenic  syncope  always  occurs  as  the  result  of  shock.     This 
may  happen  during  an  operation,  or  as  the  result  of  a  kick  or 
some  severe  violence  to  the  solar  plexus.     Shock  is  the  condi- 
tion caused  by  any  violent  disturbance  of  the  nervous  system. 

Syncope  may  be  caused  by  hemorrhage,  and  this  is  either 
external  or  internal.  If  the  carotid  artery,  the  jugular  vein, 
or  the  femoral  or  brachial  artery  be  severed,  it  takes  no  time  for 


32  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

an  animal  to  bleed  to  death.  This  is  external  hemorrhage ; 
enough  blood  is  lost  to  produce  syncope.  Internal  hemorrhage 
occurs  as  the  result  of  the  rupture  of  some  internal  blood  ves- 
sel into  either  the  thorax  or  abdomen.  Castrate  a  colt,  say  a 
bleeder,  and  as  soon  as  the  ecraseur  is  removed  and  if  the  cord  is 
retracted  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  the  hemorrhage  begins  and 
in  5  or  10  hours  the  colt  will  bleed  to  death. 
The  symptoms  of  internal  hemorrhage  are : 

1.  Great    and    increased    pallor — mucous 

membranes  pale,  finally  white  as  pa- 
per. This  is  the  most  important  di- 
agnostic symptom. 

2.  Temperature    of     extremities    varying 

according  to  the  rapidity  of  the  hem- 
orrhage— cold  if  slow,  and  more  or 
less  warm  if  rapid. 

3.  Great     and     increasing     weakness — as 

death  approaches,  in  case  of  a  hem- 
orrhage requiring  5  or  6  hours  to 
culminate,  cold  sweat  breaks  out  on 
the  surface.  Then  follows  a  dazed 
expression  of  countenance ;  the  eyes 
get  dim  ;  the  animal  spreads  his  legs 
to  prop  his  body;  if  down,  he  strug- 
gles convulsively  to  rise ;  the  pulse 
becomes  feeble,  small  and  finally  im- 
perceptible ;  the  expired  air  is  cold ; 
the  breathing  convulsive ;  and  as 
death  approaches  the  pupils  dilate. 

Death  due  to  interruption  of  the  pneumatic  apparatus  is  called 
ASPHYXIA,  whereby  the  animal  is  deprived  of  air. 

The  symptoms  of  asphyxia  are  as  follows : 

1.  The  mucous  membranes  are  dark  and 

grow  darker.  This  darkening  is 
called  CYANOSIS,  It  does  not  occur 
suddenly,  but  comes  on  gradually. 

2.  Eyes  bulge. 

3.  Nostrils  dilate. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  33 

4.  Breathing  labored. 

5.  Cold  sweat  usually  bedews  the  body. 

In  such  a  death  the  post  mortem  will  show  more  or  less 
cyanosis  of  all  the  organs,  but  especially  of  the  lungs.  There 
is  general  passive  congestion.  The  blood  turns  black  from  the 
excess  of  carbon  dioxide  and  from  the  decrease  of  oxygen.  In 
the  human,  the  face  would  be  black,  but  a  horse  does  not  show 
cyanosis  in  his  face. 

Death  by  interruption  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system  is 
called  COMA.  A  comatose  condition  is  one  of  stupor,  insensi- 
bility, and  unconsciousness.  When  an  animal  dies  from  coma, 
the  symptoms  are  as  follows : 

1.  Prone  on  the  ground. 

2.  Insensible. 

3.  Pulse    slow — decreased     in     frequency 

way- below  normal. 

4.  Breathing   slow    and    stertorous:    slow, 

deep,  irregular  breathing  and  in  some 
cases    snoring,    is   always   present   in 
coma. 
At  the  approach  of  death,  the  breathing  keeps  getting  slower 
and   more  irregular,  the  pulse  the   same   although   it  may   con- 
tinue   to    beat    after    respirations    have    stopped.     In    this    con- 
dition of  death  the  brain  loses  its  irritability;  the  other  organs 
are  in  normal  condition. 

When  it  does  not  pay  to  treat  an  animal,  the  veterinarian 
is  expected  to  destroy  it  and  this  he  must  know  how  to  do.  The 
quickest  and  most  painless  method  of  killing  is  to  shoot  the 
animal  through  the  fourth  ventricle.  An  animal  can  lose  nearly 
the  whole  of  his  cerebrum,  large  portions  of  his  cerebellum 
without  dying,  but  not  the  medulla. 

HOW  TO  KILL  A  HORSE. 

First,  fill  the  gun  with  sufficient  powder  to  drive  the  bullet 
through  the  cranium  of  the  horse;  a  22-calibre  revolver  will  not 
do  it.  We  use  a  44-calibre  gun,  barrel  about  a  foot  long.  Use 
long  cartridges. 


u 


THEORY  AND  PRACTICE 


Place  one  hand  over  the  nose  of  the  horse,  holding  his  nose 
down  toward  his  breast.  Stand  in  front  of  him  and  shoot 
straight  through  the  medulla.  It  is  not  necessary  to  place  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun  against  the  forehead.  If  the  animal  is  ner- 
vous, it  may  be  necessary  to  blindfold  him. 

Do  not  attempt  to  shoot  through  the  ear;  the  petrous  por- 
tion of  the  temporal  bone  is  the  hardest  bone  in  the  body.  But 
shoot  high  up  toward  the  poll  and  you  will  hit  the  right  spot 
every  time.  The  horse  should  drop  instantaneously.  He  dies 
from  coma.  The  bullet  causes  shock ;  shock  produces  coma ; 
and  coma,  paralysis  of  the  brain. 

The  main  objection  to  shooting  a  horse  is  the  noise.  There 
are  other  means  of  killing  but  they  take  longer  and  are  more 
painful.  Strychnine  is  the  most  active  poison  but  it  is  very 
painful.  Dissolve  a  large  dose  in  water  and  inject  into  the 
jugular  vein.  When  giving  it  by  mouth,  give  at  least  10  grains. 
Hydrocyanic  acid  is  all  right  for  killing  dogs  but  it  is  too  weak 
for  the  horse.  The  commercial  acid  does  not  keep  its  strength 
and  the  anhydrous  is  rare,  we  never  get  it.  One-hundredth  of  a 
drop  of  the  anhydrous  acid  on  the  tongue  of  a  horse  would  kill 
him  instantly. 

Chloroform  kills  by  paralyzing  the  brain  and  the  animal  dies 
from  coma.  Strychnine  kills  by  syncope,  tonic  spasm^  of  the 
heart.  Hydrocyanic  acid  kills  by  paralyzing  the  heart.  The 
chief  objection  to  using  chloroform  is  that  the  animal  struggles 
severely  during  its  administration.  The  feeling  of  suffocation 
caused  by  the  chloroform  produces  violent  struggling  and  in  such 
cases  the  animal  must  be  restrained  the  same  as  for  an  operation. 

All  poisons  considered,  probably  strychnine  is  the  best  to  use 
in  killing  an  animal  if  you  do  not  wish  to  shoot  him. 

Death  through  poisoning  of  the  blood  is  called  necrsemia. 
The  blood  dies,  or  in  other  words  is  killed  by  some  specific  mi- 
cro-organism, such  as  the  bacillus  anthracis.  In  this  disease 
the  blood  is  so  disorganized  by  the  germ  that  the  corpuscles  are 
wholly  broken  up  and  killed.  This  kind  of  death  can  be  re- 
ferred to  the  nervous  system  and  we  can  say  that  the  animal 
dies  from  coma,  yet  at  the  same  time  the  dead  blood  is  the  cause 
of  death. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE. 


35 


In  order  to  determine  the  channel  through  which  death  oc- 
curs, one  must  note  the  effect  of  the  disease  processes.  If  the 
animal  dies  in  a  comatose  condition,  then  the  nervous  system  is 
the  cause;  if  syncope  sets  in,  then  the  heart  is  at  fault.  A  per- 
son in  a  faint  is  comatose,  but  it  is  not  deep  enough  to  produce 
death  r  in  real  death  from  coma,  the  stertorous  breathing  must 
be  present.  All  these  conditions  must  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion in  order  to  determine  the  correct  cause  of  death. 

NOSOLOGY. 

By  nosology  we  mean  the  classification  and  nomenclature  of 
disease.  Diseases  are  divided  into  two  general  classes,  constitu- 
tional and  local.  Of  the  constitutional  there  are  two  kinds,  ex- 
ogenous and  endogenous;  of  the  local,  eight,  these  referring  to 
the  system  affected ;  they  are  the  diseases  of  the  respiratory  sys- 
tem, the  digestive  system,  the  circulatory  system,  the  urinary, 
the  nervous,  etc.  The  following  is  a  simple  form  of  the  classifi- 
cation of  disease: 

1.  Constitutional — 

a.  Exogenous. 

b.  Endogenous. 

2.  Local. 

a.  Diseases  of  the  Respiratory  System. 

b.  Diseases  of  the  Digestive  System. 

c.  Diseases  of  the  Circulatory  System. 

d.  Diseases  of  the  Urinary  System. 

e.  Diseases  of  the  Nervous  System. 

f.  Diseases  of  the  Generative  System. 

g.  Diseases  of  the  Locomotory  System, 
h.  Diseases  of  the  Cutaneous  System. 

A  constitutional  disease  is  one  that  affects  the  whole  sys- 
tem primarily ;  if  it  localizes  itself  in  any  organ,  it  does  so  sec- 
ondarily. A  local  disease  is  just  the  reverse ;  it  is  one  that  affects 
some  part  primarily,  and  the  whole  system  secondarly,  i.  e.,  if 
it  does  so  at  all. 

An  exogenous  disease  is  one  arising  from  without  the  body, 
i.  e.,  the  cause  is  from  without.     This  includes  all  of  the  con- 


36  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

tagious  diseases,  such  as  glanders,  anthrax,  tuberculosis,  etc. 

An  endogenous  disease  arises  within  the  body,  the  cause  pro- 
ducing it  is  within  the  animal.  This  includes  all  non-contagious 
diseases,  such  as  azoturia,  acute  constitutional  lymphangitis, 
rheumatism,  rickets,  etc. 

These  constitutional  diseases  are  sometimes  spoken  of  as 
blood  diseases.  Local  diseases  include  all  the  diseases  not  con- 
stitutional, and  they  are  classifted  according  to  the  part  in  which 
they  are  located. 

RATIONAL  TREATMENT  OF  DISEASE  IN  GENERAL. 

Rational  treatment  is  that  prescribed  according  to  the  indi- 
cations present.  It  is  based  upon  the  pathology  of  the  case. 
Medicinal  indications  always  should  follow  the  pathological  con- 
ditions. The  prescriber  should  give  attention  to  the  individual 
case,  and  in  order  to  do  this,  he  must  be  a  pathologist.  He  must 
first  make  a  correct  diagnosis  and  then  follow  the  lesions  up 
to  the  point  where  the  case  is  presented  to  him.  Rational  treat- 
ment is  based  on  the  motto,  Vis  medicatrix  naturae,  which  means 
*'the  power  of  nature  to  heal."  Our  efforts  must  be  directed 
toward  the  assistance  of  nature,  help  tide  her  over  the  rough 
places  and  difficult  conditions. 

Along  the  line  of  general  treatment  we  divide  diseases  into 
acute,  subacute,  and  chronic.  Acute  diseases  require  prompt 
and  vigorous  treatment  what  the  object  of  either  aborting  the 
disease,  or  of  lessening  its  severity  and  giving  nature  a  chance 
to  recover.  The  acute  disease  requires  heroic  treatment  es- 
pecially in  its  early  stages,  for  it  tends  to  run  a  rapid  course, 
to  develop  and  terminate  quickly.  For  example,  in  intestinal 
flatulence,  the  horse  is  tympanitic,  there  is  pressure  upon  the 
diaphragm  causing  interference  with  respiration,  and  a  result- 
ing cyanosis;  the  horse  will  die  from  asphyxia  if  he  does  not 
get  immediate  relief.  The  treatment  must  be  prompt;  if  ne- 
cessary let  the  gas  off  with  a  trocar  and  canula.  This  is  heroic 
treatment,  and  many  owners  object  on  account  of  the  possible 
danger,  but  it  is  the  only  way  to  save  the  life  of  the  animal. 

A  subacute  disease  is  mild,  arises  slowly,  and  is  inclined  to 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  ^7 

terminate  favorably.  The  rational  treatment  should  be  mild 
and  need  not  be  so  prompt.  Small  doses  less  often  repeated 
are  given ;  in  fact  with  no  treatment  at  all,  the  case  will  re- 
cover. 

A  chronic  case  is  one  of  long  standing.  The  rational  treat- 
ment is  slow,  and  employs  such  remedies  as  tend  to  produce  the 
absorption  of  inflammatory  deposits. 

RATIONAL  TREATMENT  OF  A  FEVER. 

Ephemeral  fever  or  fabricula  is  a  fever  in  which  it  is  the 
disease,  there  is  no  morbid  anatomy.  Fabricula  is  a  simple 
fever. 

Nature. — Fabricula  is  in  itself  the  disease;  it  does  not  ori- 
ginate in  any  particular  organ ;  runs  a  benign  course ;  termi- 
nates favorably  in  2  to  8  days.  The  nature  of  this  disease 
considers  whether  it  is  febrile  or  inflammatory,  the  organ  af- 
fected, the  course  the  disease  is  likely  to  run,  and  its  probable 
termination. 

Etiology. — The  main  factors  in  causing  a  simple  fever  are 
exposure  to  wet  and  cold,  fatigue  from  hard  work,  irregular 
feeding,  improper  diet,  sudden  change  from  the  open  air  to  con- 
finement in  the  stable,  change  of  climate,  change  from  natural 
life  to  artificial, — any  one  of  these  conditions  may  cause  a  sim- 
ple fever. 

Symptomatology  or  Semeiology. — Fabricula  comes  on  sud- 
denly; a  severe  case  will  be  preceded  by  rigor,  the  symptoms 
of  which  are : 

1.  Coldness  of  extremities. 

2.  Surface  of  the  body  cold. 

3.  Nose  and  ears  cold. 

4.  Shivering — begins   slight  and   increases 

in  severity  until  the  animal  is  shaking 
vigorously  all  over. 

5.  Breathing  increases   in   frequency,  and 

a    peculiar    whistling    sound    is    pro- 
duced. 
The  number  of  normal  respirations  in  the  horse  is  10,  but  in 


38  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

a  chill,  it  may  be  increased  to  60  per  minute.  The  breathing  is 
not  labored,  and  there  is  no  dilatation  of  the  nostrils — these  are 
negative  conditions.  As  the  chill  grows  worse,  the  horse  hangs 
his  head,  droops  his  ears ;  this  may  last  from  2  to  8  hours.  The 
more  severe  the  chill,  the  longer  it  will  last,  and  the  higher  will 
be  the  fever  following  it. 

To  prescribe  rationally,  consider  first  the  age  and  species  of 
the  animal :  then  the  size,  sex.  vitality  of  the  patient,  duration 
of  the  disease,  time  of  the  year,  the  weather,  and  the  surround- 
ings. All  of  these  conditions  have  their  influence.  The  treat- 
ment consists  of  medicinal  prescriptions  and  hygienic  measures. 

Suppose  now  you  have  a  horse  w^ith  a  chill.  The  nervous 
system  is  excited,  the  blood  has  left  the  surface,  the  respirations 
are  rapid,  the  pulse  hard,  rapid  and  strong.  The  sympathetic 
nerves  control  the  heart  and  if  we  give  Fid.  Ext.  of  Aconite,  this 
will  reduce  the  irritability  of  the  nerves.  We  prescribe  with  this 
a  stimulant,  alcohol,  and  the  form  of  the  prescription  would  be 
as  follows : 

Fid.    Ext.     Aconite 1  drachm 

Spts.    yini    Rect 4  ounces 

Aqua    qs    ad 1  pint 

M.  Sig. — 2  ounces  every  15  minutes  until  you  get 
the  physiological  effect  of  the  drugs. 

The  horse  will  sweat,  and  the  heart  will  slow  and  the  pulse 
get  soft.  Some  will  argue  against  combining  a  stimulant  and 
sedative  together,  saying  that  the  one  neutralizes  the  action  of  the 
other,  but  experience  teaches  that  this  is  not  true. 

Hygienic  treatment  consists  in  putting  on  woolen  blankets 
and  bufifalo  robes,  bandaging  the  legs,  shutting  off  the  draughts, 
and  rubbing  the  legs  of  the  animal  to  increase  the  circulation. 

As  soon  as  the  animal  begins  to  sweat  give  the  doses  less 
frequently,  and  finally  drop  them  off  altogether.  The  dose  above 
given,  with  proper  hygienic  measures  will  put  the  animal  to 
sweating  in  about  2^2  hours. 

Suppose  now  that  the  disease  has  been  running  three  days, 
you  are  called,  say,  the  fourth  day;  you  find  the  ears  drooping, 
pulse  60,  temperature  105,  feces  slimy,  etc.  In  this  climate, 
usually    some    thoracic    disease — acute    bronchitis,    pleurisy,    or 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  39 

pneumonia  may  develop,  but  in  this  case  let  us  say  that  it  has 
not.  Now  what  will  you  prescribe?  A  fever  mixture,  and  this 
is  our  stock  prescription. 

^Fld.    Ext.    Aconite ^ 1       ^^achm 

Fid.    Ext.    Belladonna -  •  •  2       dractims 

Fid.    Ext.    Gentian 1       ounce 

Potassium    Nitrate    -  '/^  "Zlll 

Spts.    Etlier    N.t 

Aqua   qs  ad • ^ 

M.  Sig. — 2  ounces  every  2  hours. 

Make  the  dose  small  and  repeat  often,  and  in  this  way  the 
physiological  action  will  be  produced  gradually.  Robertson  m  his 
Equine  Practice  gives  large  doses  two  or  three  times  a  day  but 
vou  will  get  better  results  with  small  doses  every  two  hours,  i  his 
impresses  the  owner  so  that  he  stays  on  hand  and  tends  to  his 
animal,  and  this  produces  better  results. 

As  to  the  hygiene,  water  the  animal  every  1.  minutes  (you 
may  be  pretty  sure  that  the  owner  has  been  afraid  to  give  the 
animal  anything  to  eat  or  drink)  until  he  has  had  his  thirst 
quenched,  then  put  a  bucket  of  fresh  water  before  him,  and  keep 
it  fresh  For  fodder,  give  oats  and  bran  mixed  and  scalded  with 
boiling  water.  The  boiling  water  ruptures  the  cellulose  covering 
of  the  grain,  and  make  it  easier  to  digest. 

The  dose  which  I  have  given  you  is  for  an  average  weight 
animal,  say  1.300  pounds.  The  aconite  lessens  the  irritability 
of  the  nerves ;  the  belladonna  lessens  the  congestion ;  the  gen- 
tian a  vegetable,  helps  to  keep  the  stomach  in  order :  the  po- 
tassium nitrate  is  a  diuretic  and  a  refrigerant  and  he  ps  to  reg- 
ulate the  temperature.  If  ammonium  chlonde  be  added  it  will 
lessen  the  temperature  more  quickly.  In  addition  to  this  pre- 
scription give  a  dram  of  acetanilid  every  four  hours. 

The  bowels  will  take  care  of  themselves,  only  take  notice 
whether  they  move  or  not.  If  not,  give  a  soap  and  water  enema. 
After  getting  the  temperature  down  to  102,  stop  the  acet- 
anilid and  put  in  fluid  extract  of  nux  vomica,  1  ounce  to  the  pint. 
Drop  the  potassium  nitrate.  When  the  temperature  gets  to  nor- 
mal put  the  animal  on  Tr.  Iron.  Keep  him  quiet  even  i  his  legs 
are  stocked.  After  the  temperature  has  been  normal  for  48 
hours,  exercise  may  begin. 


40  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

The  various  procedures  in  making  a  diagnosis  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

1.  Inspection. 

2.  Palpation. 

3.  Palpitation. 

4.  Auscultation. 

5.  Percussion. 

6.  Succussion. 

These  are  the  means  employed  to  make  a  physical  diagnosis. 

Inspection. — This  implies  a  thorough  observation  of  the  an- 
imal before  touching  him  at  all.  It  includes  the  movements  of 
the  chest  and  abdominal  muscles ;  the  position  of  the  elbows  ; 
the  expression  of  the  countenance,  which  is  quick  to  indicate 
distress;  the  extent  of  dilatation  of  the  nostrils;  the  amount  and 
character  of  any  nasal  discharge,  and  the  appearance  of  the  coat. 

Mensuration. — This  implies  the  measuring  of  any  part  and 
the  comparison  of  it  with  the  opposite  side.  The  measurements 
are  usually  sized  up  with  the  eye  rather  than  with  a  tapeline ;  in 
this  way  the  eye  becomes  trained  to  routine  practice. 

Prof.  Gamgee  was  a  great  stickler  for  tapeline  measurements, 
but  he  was  more  scienti'iic  than  practical. 

Palpation. — This  is  the  act  of  feeling.  See  if  the  surface 
is  cold  or  hot.  Manipulate  the  parts  to  find  if  any  soreness  be 
present;  feel  of  the  coat;  count  the  pulse;  take  the  temperature; 
when  indicated,  lay  the  hand  upon  the  horse's  hip  and  feel  the 
impulse  of  the  labored  breathing,  for  it  is  an  important  point  in 
diagnosis. 

Auscultation. — This  is  an  application  of  the  ear  to  the  wall 
of  the  body  cavities  to  ascertain  whether  the  sound  be  normal 
or  not.  The  ear  can  be  applied  directly  to  the  surface  or  a 
stethoscope  can  be  used.  In  veterinary  practice  the  ear  is  more 
commonly  used. 

Percussion. — This  is  the  tapping  of  the  surface  over  cavi- 
ties to  ascertain  the  density  of  the  cavity.  The  practitioner  must 
be  familiar  with  the  normal  resonance  of  the  body  cavities.  This 
varies  according  to  the  amount  of  flesh  overlieing  the  cavity.  A 
thin  horse  has  greater  resonance  of  his  body  cavities  than  a  fat 
one.     Dullness  of  the  chest  indicates  disease ;  dullness   of  the 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  41 

facial  sinuses  indicates  that  they  are  filled  with  mucous  discharges 
or  pus ;  dullness  of  the  abdominal  cavity  is  normal,  and  it  becomes 
resonant  only  when  filled  with  gas. 

Succiission. — This  is  the  act  of  shaking  a  patient  so  as  to  de- 
tect the  pressure  of  a  liquid  in  the  cavities  of  the  body. 

RESPIRATORY  DISEASES. 

The  phenomena  of  the  diseases  of  any  particular  system 
are  the  various  symptoms  and  signs  which  call  one's  attention 
to  it. 

As  applied  to  the  horse,  the  various  phenomena  of  the  dis- 
eases of  the  respiratory  system  are  as  follows: 

1.  Grunting.     In  cattle  grunting  occurs  as 

a  symptom  of  digestive  diseases;  in 
the  horse  never  as  such. 

2.  Coughing. 

3.  Dyspnoea. 

4.  Roaring. 

5.  Whistling. 

6.  Rales — called  mucous  rales. 

7.  Crepitation. 

8.  Friction  sounds. 

9.  Sneezing. 

10.  Snoring. 

11.  Wheezing. 

Grunting.— The  grunt  is  present  in  acute  pleurisy,  and  indi- 
cates painful  respiration. 

Coughing. — A  cough  is  a  forcible  and  sudden  expulsion  of  air 
from  the  chest.  It  begins  with  a  sudden  and  deep  inspiration, 
and  then  all  the  respiratory  forces  come  into  play  to  expel  the 
air,— the  diaphragm,  the  intercostals  and  the  abdominal  muscles. 
A  cough  may  be  either  moist  or  dry.  The  moist  cough  is 
heard  in  the  second  stages  of  acute  respiratory  diseases;  the 
dry,  in  the  first  stage  of  the  acute  and  in  the  chronic  respiratory 
diseases.  A  cough  may  be  shallow  or  deep ;  the  shallow  is  from 
the  throat,  and  the  deep  from  the  bronchi.     The  throat  cough 


42     ,  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

is  a  hacking,  short,  sharp  and  shallow  one ;  the  bronchial  cough 
is  hoarse  and  deep. 

Dyspnoea. — This  is  labored  breathing,  interrupted  more  or 
less  by  some  interference.  It  may  be  slight  or  severe,  and  it  may 
be  fatal.  It  is  seen  in  either  acute  or  chronic  diseases.  In  the 
acute  disease  it  requires  prompt  attention,  but  in  the  chronic  it 
is  not  dangerous. 

Roaring. — This  is  a  recognized  name  of  a  disease,  and  is  due 
to  the  dropping  into  the  larynx  cavity  of  the  left  arytenoid  car- 
tilage. 

Whistling. — This  is  a  shriller  noise  than  that  of  roaring.  It 
may  be  produced  by  anything  that  constricts  the  caliber  of  the 
air-passage. 

Rales. — This  sound  is  produced  by  air  passing  through  a 
liquid,  such  as  mucous,  pus,  blood,  water,  medicine,  etc. 

Crepitation. — A  crackling  sound  heard  in  the  early  stages  of 
pneumonia. 

Friction  Sounds. — This  is  the  sound  of  two  dry  surfaces  rub- 
bing together,  as  heard  in  the  second  stages  of  acute  pleurisy. 

Sneezing. — Among  the  lower  animals,  this  is  simply  blowing 
the  nose,  there  is  no  cough. 

Snoring. — A  noisy  breathing  produced  usually  by  a  polypus  in 
the  posterior  nares.  It  is  occasionally  the  result  of  nervous  dis- 
turbance, seen  in  nervous  high-bred  Jersey  cows.  Pug  dogs  al- 
ways snore. 

Wheezing. — This  is  the  sound  heard  when  the  air  passes 
through  a  more  or  less  obstructed  passage,  such  as  would  be 
caused  by  a  nasal  polypus,  enchondroma  of  the  septum  nasi,  or 
the  asthmatic  exacerbation  of  heaves. 

RHINITIS. 

Definition. — Rhinitis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane lining  the  nose.  It  is  also  called  catarrh,  which  is  derived 
from  the  Greek  katarrein,  meaning  to  fiow  down,  and  always 
refers  to  the  discharge  of  a  mucous  membrane.  The  name  ca- 
tarrh can  be  applied  to  any  mucous  membrane  of  the  body,  but 
it  is  usually  applicable  to  the  nasal  membrane. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  43 

Nature. — Rhinitis  may  be  acute,  subacute,  or  chronic.  In  the 
acute  form  inflammation  of  the  Schneiderian  membrane  is  pres- 
ent ;  it  extends  back  and  involves  the  mucous  lining  of  the  fauces. 
In  a  very  severe  case,  it  involves  the  sinuses  of  the  head,  the 
frontal  and  the  superior  and  inferior  maxillary. 

Etiology. — This  inflammation  is  usually  brought  on  by  expos- 
ure to  cold  winds,  or  to  sudden  change  of  temperature.  It  can 
occur  in  hot  weather  as  well  as  in  cold.  In  Chicago  the  north- 
east wind  is  apt  to  cause  catarrh  in  horses  that  are  exposed  to  it 
after  exercise. 

Symptoms. — The  first  symptom  is  usually  sneezing;  pain  is 
probably  present  in  the  Schneiderian  membrane.  After  a  few 
hours  a  slight  cough  develops ;  elevation  of  temperature — 103  to 
104;  pulse  48  to  50;  lassitude;  congestion  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  nose  and  eyelids. 

PatJhology. — The  inflammation  runs  three  stages ;  first,  the 
mucous  membranes  are  dry  and  their  function  is  suspended,  sec- 
ond, this  is  the  moist  stage  and  a  red,  limpid,  thin,  water  dis- 
charge begins  which  in  12-20  hours  becomes  starchy;  third,  if  the 
case  is  bad,  suppuration  develops,  and  the  discharge  is  muco- 
purulent— pus  mixed  with  mucous.  In  the  first  stage  the  func- 
tion of  the  mucous  membranes  is  suspended,  but  as  soon  as  reac- 
tion begins,  they  begin  to  act  again  and  pour  out  their  discharge, 
which,  however,  is  not  normal,  but  is  degenerated, — a  thick, 
starchy  coagulated  substance.  Not  all  the  mucous  follicles  sup- 
purate, and  what  normal  mucous  is  poured  out  becomes  mixed 
with  the  pus  and  degenerated  coagulum.  In  time  the  discharge 
may  collect  in  the  sinuses,  the  swollen  mucous  membranes  pre- 
venting its  escape.  It  then  becomes  very  oflfensive,  because  of 
decomposition  of  the  mucous  element.  The  ordinary  discharge 
from  the  nose  is  usually  odorless. 

Eventually  the  mucous  membranes  may  ulcerate ;  the  perios- 
teum of  the  bones  desquamate. 

Treatment. — The  acute  form  of  rhinitis  is  a  febrile  disease 
and  therefore  needs  antiphlogistic  treatment.  The  following 
procedjires  are  recommended : 

1.  Put  animal  in  a  comfortable  place. 

2.  Let  him  rest;  do  not  work  him. 


44  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

3.  Dose  him  with  acetaniHd. 

4.  Give  a  fever  mixture,  such  as  recom- 

mended in  ephemeral  fever. 

5.  Give   a  diuretic — the  kidneys  must  be 

stimulated  early  in  every  febrile  dis- 
ease, so  as  to  prevent  an  accumulation 
of  debris  in  the  urinary  system. 

6.  Apply  local  treatment  to  the  head. 

Steaming  the  head  over  a  tub  of  hot  water  is  good  for  this 
case.  Set  a  wash  or  soap  tub  on  top  of  a  barrel,  and  tie  the 
horse's  head  so  that  he  cannot  thrust  it  down  into  the  hot  water. 
Throw  a  blanket  over  his  head,  and  a  red  hot  brick  into  the  tub 
of  water;  this  will  precipitate  suddenly  a  lot  of  steam,  which 
will  bring  relief  to  the  animal  if  the  inflammation  is  located  in  the 
head,  but  not  if  in  the  lungs.  It  is  possible  to  medicate  the  steam 
with  an  ounce  of  white  wine  vinegar,  or  dilute  acetic  acid,  both 
of  which  are  soothing  to  inflamed  mucous  membranes.  If  the 
catarrh  has  reached  the  suppurative  stage,  throw  an  ounce  of  car- 
bolic acid  or  an  ounce  of  tincture  of  iodine  into  three  gallons  of 
water  (hot),  and  allow  the  steam  of  it  to  penetrate  the  animal's 
head.  These  will  act  as  antiseptics.  (Empirics  will  burn  old 
leather  and  old  boots,  thinking  that  the  fumes  will  be  soothing 
to  the  inflamed  membranes  of  the  head,  but  this  is  erroneous.) 

If  the  sinuses  of  the  head  are  involved,  the  case  is  severe;  but 
if  not  nature  will  effect  her  own  cure.  The  nature  of  the  dis- 
charge will  enable  one  to  tell  whether  the  sinuses  are  affected  or 
not.  If  they  are,  after  steaming,  rub  a  little  ammonical  lini- 
ment on  the  overlaying  skin. 

Aqua   Ammonia    %  ounce 

01.    Terebinth    14  ounce 

01.   Gossypii qs   ad   2   ounces 

M.  Sig. — Rub  a  little  of  the  liniment  over  the 
sinuses — frontal  and  maxillary — night  and  morn- 
ing; in  severe  cases  apply  to  the  throat  and 
fauces. 

(Linseed  oil  can  be  used  instead  of  the  cottonseed.) 
After  following  this  treatment  for  two  or  three  days,  the  case 
is  practically  cured,  but  you  must  dry  up  the  discharge  and  put 
the  animal  on  a  chalybeate  course, — a  course  of  iron. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  4i) 

n 

Potassium    Chloride     i/>  ounce 

Tr.    Fer.    Chlor 1/2  ounce 

Aqua    qs    ad 1     pint 

M.  Sig. — Mix  and  give  1  ounce  every  4  hours. 

In  a  bad  case  keep  the  horse  in  for  a  week.  As  soon  as  the 
acute  symptoms  have  subsided  discontinue  the  steaming ;  stop  the 
use  of  the  ammoniacal  Hniment  as  soon  as  the  skin  begins  to 
wrinkle,  and  apply  a  little  cottonseed  oil  to  soften  up  the  skin. 

Subacute  Rhinitis. — These  cases  are  mild  and  will  not  re- 
quire much  if  any  treatment.  Probably  the  case  will  not  be 
brought  to  you  in  this  stage.  However,  acute  cases  may  develop 
into  chronic  and  affect  the  sinuses  of  the  head. 

Chronic  Rhinitis  or  Catarrh. — This  is  sometimes  called  0-- 
zena.  It  is  a  chronic  nasal  catarrh.  Among  the  English  Veter- 
inarians it  is  known  as  nasal  gleet.  Chronic  catarrh  alwa\\s  fol- 
lows the  acute  if  it  occurs  at  all.  It  has  constantly  to  be  dif- 
ferentiated  from  glanders.     Its  symptoms  are  as  follows: 

1.  An    intermittent    mucco-purulent     dis- 

charge, of  heavy  specific  gravity,  and 
nearly  always  offensive.  The  color 
varies  from  greenish  yellow  to  whit- 
ish yellow,  according  to  the  amount 
of  coagulated  mucous  in  it. 

2.  Chunky  condition  of  the  discharge  fol- 

lowing the  intermittency.  This  is  due 
to  coagulation  taking  place  during  the 
confinement  of  the  discharge  over 
night,  and  it  becomes  very  offensive. 
As  soon  as  the  animal  begins  to  ex- 
ercise, chunks  of  coagulated  pus  and 
mucous,  fetid  and  very  profuse,  pour 
out  of  the  nose  until  the  sinuses  are 
empty. 

3.  Cough  may  be  present ;  usually  the  sub- 

maxillary lymphatics  are  enlarged. 

4.  Bulging  of  the  sinuses  from  the  pressure 

of  the  muco-purulent  material  within. 
In  such  a  case  the  eyes  may  water  a 


46  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

little,  the  conjunctiva  be  red,  and  the 
corners  of  the  eyes  contain  a  little  co- 
agulated mucous. 

5.  Appetite  usually  good. 

6.  Coat  looks  well  if  the  animal  has  been 

kept  in  good  condition. 
Negative  symptoms : 

7.  No     ulceration     of     the     Schneiderian 

membrane. 

8.  If  the  mallein  test  is  tried,  it  proves 

negative. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  chronic  catarrh  is  entirely  de- 
pendent upon  the  condition  of  the  animal  when  first  seen.  If  the 
disease  has  been  running  for  the  previous  three  or  four  weeks 
without  treatment,  or  even  if  treated  before,  try  to  cure  the  case 
without  any  operation.     Do  this  by  using  a  nasal  douche. 

Tie  the  horse  from  each  side  and  fasten  him  down,  holding  his 
face  as  nearly  perpendicular  as  possible.  Twitch  one  ear  and 
insert  the  douche  in  the  nostril.  Do  not  place  the  twitch  on  the 
nose  in  this  case.  Insert  the  douche  in  the  side  running  the 
most,  using  a  mild  lotion.  A  good  lotion  can  be  made  from  a 
10  per  cent  solution  of  sodium  chloride ;  sodium  bicarbonate ; 
boracic  acid;  or  borax.  Borax  is  borate  of  sodium.  If  carbolic 
acid  is  used,  make  up  a  solution  about  one-half  of  one  per  cent 
strengtb.  Do  not  use  solutions  stronger  than  those  mentioned. 
Rinse   the  nose   with   a   solution   of  permanganate   of  potash — 

1  to  1000 — then  use  the  salines.     Run  through  the  douche  about 

2  or  3  quarts  or  a  gallon  of  this.  Internally  give  the  horse  iron 
— exsiccated  sulphate — one  dram  in  the  feed  night  and  morn- 
ing. In  addition  to  this,  if  you  wish,  give  him  Fowler's  solution 
of  arsenic,  one-half  ounce  night  and  morning.  This  dosage 
would  be  for  a  1000-lb.  horse ;  for  a  1600-lb.  animal,  give  one 
ounce  night  and  morning.  Keep  all  this  treatment  up  for  two  or 
three  weeks,  and  feed  on  soft  feed,  grass  if  possible.  If  the 
sinuses  are  not  too  severely  affected,  this  will  cure  the  horse; 
but  if  they  are  full  of  mucous  and  pus,  of  degenerated  and  de- 
composing material,  or  if  the  sinuses  are  bulging,  then  an  opera- 
tion is  necessary. 


OF  VETERINARY   ^lEDICIXE.  47 

Operation. — Put  the  horse  on  the  table  or  lay  him  clown,  using 
a  soft  cushion  under  his  head  with  a  strong  man  to  help  hold 
him..  Cut  out  a  circular  piece  of  skin  opposite  the  fourth  molar 
tooth,  making  the  opening  large  enough  to  insert  the  instrument. 
Cut  away  the  cellular  tissues  so  as  to  expose  the  bone.  Then 
bore  through  and  withdraw  the  instrument  and  cut  out  the  mu- 
cous membrane.  In  a  long-standing  case  the  pus  will  be  very 
thick,  so  thick  that  it  may  have  to  be  spooned  out.  Do  not  try  to 
get  all  the  pus  out.  Syringe  the  sinus  well;  the  air  and  water 
will  soften  the  mass  so  that  in  60  to  72  hours  the  pus  will  come 
out  easily.  After  the  operation  syringe  out  the  cavity  with  a 
mild  solution  such  as  previously  mentioned,  and  repeat  night  and 
morning.  Hang  an  apron  over  the  horse's  head  to  cover  the 
opening,  and  leave  the  hole  open.  The  air  will  do  as  much  to 
effect  good  healing  as  anything  that  could  be  applied.  Some  prac- 
titioners use  a  cob  to  stop  up  the  opening,  and  corks  are  also 
used,  but  the  wound  should  be  left  open.  Nine  times  out  of  ten 
a  case  will  yield  to  this  treatment.  After  about  three  weeks,  it 
will  not  be  necessary  to  use  the  syringe  longer,  as  the  mass  will 
have  become  so  soft  that  it  can  easily  be  removed.  The  first 
two  weeks,  syringe  out  once  every  day;  thence  once  every  three 
days.  Too  much  washing  maintains  a  discharge.  Nature  will  do 
better  than  local  applications. 

If  you  meet  with  a  case  that  has  been  running  a  year  or 
longer,  the  treatment  may  fail.  There  are  many  cases  in  which 
the  mucous  membrane  is  entirely  gone  as  the  result  of  absorption. 
Keep  the  horse  on  iron  all  through  the  treatment;  it  helps  ma- 
terially to  arrest  suppuration. 

This  operation  is  simple  and  usually  satisfactory.  Bear  in 
mind  that  the  fetid  breath  is  a  symptom  of  chronic  nasal  dis- 
charge. When  this  condition  is  present,  always  examine  the  teeth 
to  see  that  they  are  not  decayed.  If  you  find  a  decayed  molar, 
remove  it  first;  but  if  the  mouth  is  sound,  get  after  the  nasal 
catarrh.     It  is  very  easy  to  mistake  this  condition  for  glanders. 

In  removing  a  tooth,  two  things  are  to  be  guarded  against, 
the  cutting  of  the  blood  vessels  and  also  of  the  nerves  that  sup- 
ply the  roots  of  the  molars.     Work  above  these  and  do  not  dis- 


48  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

turb  them  if  possible.     Although  a  very  painful  operation  it  is 
not  advisable  to  use  chloroform. 

LARYNGITIS. 

Definition. — Laryngitis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  mucous  lin- 
ing of  the  larynx.  Theoretically  it  may  be  lim.ited  to  the  larynx, 
but  in  every  day  practice,  we  usually  find  that  it  involves  the 
pharynx.  It  is  then  known  as  laryngo-pharyngitis.  This  is  the 
usual  case  we  find  to  treat,  and  it  is  spoken  of  as  sore  throat.  In 
bad  cases  three  or  four  inches  at  least  of  the  upper  part  of  the 
trachea  are  involved. 

Pathology. — In  this  disease  the  inflamm.ation  runs  the  reg- 
ular typical  course ;  first  the  dry,  hot  stage  with  suspension  of  the 
function  of  the  mucous  membrane ;  then  the  second  or  the  wet 
stage  with  an  abundant  effusion  producing  more  or  less  oedema. 
This  oedema  makes  the  parts  swell;  if  it  is  located  mostly  around 
the  rima  glottidis,  it  will  diminish  the  size  of  the  air  passage  and 
cause  dyspnoea.  Sometimes  the  passage  becomes  closed  entirely, 
and  the  animal  dies  from  asphyxiation.  This  oedematous  condi- 
tion merits  a  special  name — ^oedema  glottidis.  It  may  result  in  as- 
phyxiation in  48  hours.  This  is  always  a  dangerous  condition 
in  man  or  beast,  but  more  particularly  in  children  under  5  and  in 
people  over  60.  The  first  stage  is  short,  5  or  6  hours  only. 
Sometimes  the  inflammation  goes  on  to  the  third  stage, — sup- 
puration, but  this  never  amounts  to  much.  Occasionally  the 
case  is  so  severe  as  to  produce  local  necrosis  in  the  larynx,  and 
the  horse  in  coughing  will  throw  out  shreads  of  necrotic  mu- 
cous membrane.  This, condition  is  called  necrotic  laryngitis,  and 
the  part  coughed  up  is  called  a  "sphacelus."  The  act  is  called 
"sphacelation."  This  is  usually  fatal,  and  in  6  or  8  weeks  the 
horse  dies  from  septicemia.  In  the  horse  this  is  a  very  dan- 
gerous condition  because  the  larynx  cannot  be  reached  to  clean 
it  out. 

Death  from  oedema  glottidis  usually  occurs  within  48  hours 
if  it  occurs  at  all;  after  that  there  is  less  danger. 

Etiology. — The  cause  is  undue  exposure.    Take  a  barn  hold- 
ing 40  horses — brick  barn  worse  than  frame — wide  open,  no  fire, 


OF  VETERINARY    .MEDICINE.  49 

and  very  cold.  The  bricks  hold  the  chill.  The  horses  feed  out 
at  noon  in  nose  bags,  and  come  in  at  night  tired,  very  much  so  if 
the  ground  is  covered  with  snow  and  ice.  They  cannot  resist 
tlie  chill  of  the  barn,  and  the  next  morning  one  horse  does  not 
eat  his  breakfast.     He  has  acute  laryngitis. 

Symptoms. — In  all  bad  cases  there  is  more  or  less  chill,  which 
the  attendant  may  or  may  not  see;  temperature  104-106;  pulse 
full,  round  and  soft,  and  increased  in  frequency;  throat  swollen, 
outside  and  in  (the  more  it  swells  on  the  outside,  the  less  it 
swells  on  the  inside),  and  those  swelling  freely  on  the  outside  are 
not  the  most  serious  cases ;  nose  poked  out.  If  this  were  seen 
in  the  first  stage,  there  would  probably  be  a  dry,  sore,  hacking 
cough  with  disinclination  to  swallow.  In  the  second  stage  an 
cedematous,  moist  cough  is  present,  and  it  is  painful.  The  pain 
is  indicated  by  the  horse  shaking  his  head  after  each  cough. 
The  discharge  is  profuse,  mostly  saliva,  the  reason  for  which  is 
that  the  inflammation  is  in  close  proximity  to  the  parotid  glands, 
and  stimulates  them  to  increased  functional  activity.  This  se- 
cretion passes  back  through  the  fauces  but  cannot  go  further 
down  on  account  of  the  swelling,  and  is  therefore  forced  out 
through  the  nose.  In  this  condition  the  throat  is  sore;  pressure 
on  the  outside  causes  the  animal  to  throw  up  his  head,  an  indica- 
tion of  pain. 

The  case  runs  along  for  4  or  5  days,  by  which  time  there  may 
be  a  little  pus,  a  few  mucous  follicles  may  suppurate,  and  the 
discharge  may  be  starchy.  However,  is  usually  consists  of  mucous 
and  saliva.  The  breathing  is  accelerated ;  upon  opening  the 
mouth  it  is  full  of  ropy  saliva.  In  all  these  cases  there  is  more 
or  less  dyspnoea,  and  the  mucous  membranes  become  cyanotic 
according  to  the  amount  of  dyspnoea  present.  The  less  oxygen 
the  horse  gets  the  darker  the  mucous  membranes  become.  If 
the  dyspnoea  becomes  severe,  the  eyes  bulge,  and  the  animal 
makes  a  great  noise  both  during  expiration  and  inspiration.  Death 
may  come  any  time  between  48  and  100  hours,  usually  in  about 
75  hours.  As  death  comes  on  the  extremities  get  cold,  the  eyes 
bulge,  and  weakness  develops  rapidly ;  but  the  animal  persistently 
stands  until  he  drops  dead. 

Prognosis. — This  depends  entirely  upon  the  amount  of  dysp- 


50  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

noea  present.  Laryngo-pharyngitis  with  oedema  glottidis  is  very 
dangerous  and  often  fatal.  If  it  takes  three  or  four  days  for  the 
asphyxia  to  kill  him,  the  mucous  membranes  will  not  only  be 
cyanotic,  but  they  will  become  ecchymiOtic  as  well. 

Treatment. — As  a  rule  the  doctor  is  called  the  first  day;  he 
sees  the  horse  not  eating  and  discharging  from  the  nose.  The 
following  is  the  course  of  treatment  to  pursue: 

1.  First  look  after  the  hygiene,  warm  up 

the  stable — with  a  stove  if  possible. 
Keep  the  temperature  60-66  degrees. 
You  cannot  treat  an  animal  success- 
fully in  a  cold  barn. 

2.  Clothe  warmly. 

3.  Apply  the  ammoniacal  liniment  on  the 

outside  of  the  throat  freely.  The  old 
theory  of  a  blister  supposed  its  action 
to  be  that  of  a  revulsive  to  draw  the 
inflammation  out  and  to  drive  it 
away;  but  this  theory  is  obsolete. 
We  know  now  that  it  acts  as  a  local 
stimulant,  setting  up  a  mild  inflam- 
matory process ;  and  in  an  acute  dis- 
ease this  is  always  beneficial. 

4.  After  applying  the  liniment,   then  put 

on  a  hot  linseed  poultice,  which  must 
be  repeated  night  and  morning.  Do 
not  repeat  the  application  of  the  lini- 
ment.   Bandage  over  the  poultice  well. 

5.  For   internal    medication   give   a    dram 

of  acetanilid  and  repeat  every  4 
hours. 

6.  Give  an  ounce  of  fever  mixture  every 

hour — small  doses  will  insure  that 
more  be  swallowed. 

7.  See  the  case  every  day.     If  the  inflam- 

mation increases,  give  a  camphor 
electuary. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  51 

Gum   Camphor 1  ounce 

Fl.    Ex.    Belladonna 2  ounces 

Fl.    Ex.    Glycyrrhiza 2  ounces 

Fl.   Ex.   Nux   Vomica 1  ounce 

Theriacae     6  ounces 

Pharmacy. — Powder  the  gum  camphor  in  a  mortar,  and  add 
a  little  alcohol.  Then  add  the  fluid  extracts  and  stir  up  and 
then  the  theriacae.  Stir  all  up  together,  adding  enough  pow- 
dered glycyrrhiza,  probably  2-4  ounces,  to  make  the  mixture 
thick  enough  to  administer  the  dose  on  a  wooden  spatula.  In 
administering  a  dose,  simply  take  it  up  on  the  spatula  and  wipe 
it  off  on  the  tongue  of  the  animal.  The  advantage  of  the 
method  is  that  the  dose  stays  in  the  throat  longer. 

If  the  case  does  not  yield  to  these  measures  of  treatment, 
do  not  wait  too  long  for  an  operation ;  as  soon  as  the  mucous 
membranes  become  cyanotic,  tracheotomy  is  indicated.  There 
are  several  different  kinds  of  tracheotomy  tubes  and  they  vary 
in  size  to  suit  the  animal. 

Tracheotomy. — Make  an  incision  2  inches  long  through  the 
skin  to  the  cartilaginous  rings,  then  turn  the  scalpel  crosswise 
and  cut  through  the  membrane  of  the  trachea.  Enlarge  the 
opening  with  a  probe-pointed  bistoury.  Do  not  wound  the 
cartilage  rings.  Insert  the  tube  and  fasten  around  the  neck 
well.  The  tissues  overlaying  the  wound  and  adjacent  to  it 
may  begin  to  swell  and  force  the  instrument  out,  but  this 
need  not  occur  if  the  operation  is  aseptic.  The  tube  should  be 
removed  and  cleaned  every  night  and  morning. 

If  this  operation  does  not  cure,  keep  up  the  other  treatment 
until  the  disease  begins  to  yield. 

An  ordinary  sore  throat  is  cured  by  the  iron  gargle : 

Tr.    Fer.    Chloride 1       ounce 

Potassium    Chlorate    V2  ounce 

Aqua    qs    ad 1       pint 

M.  Sig. — One  ounce  every  four  hours. 

In  cases  not  severe  enough  for  the  camphor  electuary,  alter- 
nate the  gargle  with  the  fever  mixture.  Also  use  the  gargle  dur- 
ing convalescence. 

Hygiene. — Keep  fresh  water  before  the  animal  all  the  time; 
give  him  anything  be  wants  to  eat. 


52  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

CHRONIC  LARYNGITIS. 

Under  this  head  come  nearly  all  the  conditions  producing 
noisy  breathing — roaring,  whistling,  wheezing,  thick  wind, 
chronic  cough,  and  paralysis  of  the  throat. 

Etiology. — These  chronic  conditions  generally  follow  some 
acute  disease  of  the  throat,  but  they  may  not.  Roaring,  for  ex- 
ample, is  due  to  paralysis  of  a  nerve ;  whistling  may  be  caused 
by  a  certain  anatomical  conformation;  wheezing,  diseases  of  the 
nostrils ;  thick  wind  may  follow  bronchial  diseases ;  chronic 
cough — anything;  paralysis  of  the  throat  may  follow  acute 
laryngo-pharyngitis. 

Roaring. — Roaring  is  due  to  the  paralysis  of  the  left  recur- 
rent laryngeal  nerve.  As  a  result  we  get  paralysis  of  certain 
arytenoid  muscles.  These  are  the  arytenoideus,  thyro-arytenoideus, 
crico-arytenoideus,  and  the  crico-arytenoideus  posticus.  In  this 
condition  the  muscles  atrophy  and  change  their  red,  fleshy  color 
to  that  of  pale  yellow  or  amber.  As  a  result  the  arytenoid  cartil- 
age drops  into  the  larynx  and  obstructs  inspiration.  Expiration 
is  performed  with  these,  but  in  inspiration,  the  rima  glottis  may 
be  almost  closed  by  the  obstructing  cartilage. 

Symptoms. — These  consist  of  loud  roaring  sounds  in  breath- 
ing, great  difiiculty  in  respiration, — may  be  so  great  as  to  choke 
the  horse  until  he  drops.  But  the  animal  does  not  die  from 
asphyxia ;  when  he  goes  down,  the  recumbent  position  helps  re- 
store respiration.  So  long  as  the  horse  is  quiet,  there  is  no  dif- 
ficulty in  breathing,  but  the  roaring  occurs  during  exercise.  As 
a  rule,  roaring  ruins  the  horse,  although  the  famous  Eclipse  was 
a  roarer. 

Whistling. — This  is  a  sharp  shrill  sound  on  a  high  key.  It 
is  sometimes  produced  by  diseases  of  the  throat.  It  can  be 
produced  mechanically.  A  horse  with  narrow  jowls  harnessed 
with  a  curb  bit,  under  the  tap  of  the  whip  will  produce  pressure 
on  the  larynx  so  that  it  becomes  constricted,  and  this  may  cause 
whistling. 

Wheezing. — This  disease  is  not  necessarily  connected  with 
the  larynx,  it  may  be  in  the  nose.  It  may  be  caused  by  neoplasm 
of    the    septum    nasi,    polypus    in    the    nostrils,    fracture    with 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  S  ^ 


00 


depression  of  the  nasal  bone,  and  general  swelling  of  the  mucous 
membranes  as  seen  in  glanders.  The  cause  may  be  in  the  chest 
in  the  form  of  bronchitis,  for  example,  in  cattle;  in  bad  cases  of 
heaves  in  which  there  are  asthmatic  exacerbations. 

An  abcess  in  the  wall  of  the  throat  is  the  usual  cause  of 
wheezing,^  i.  e.,  when  its  cause  can  be  referred  to  the  throat. 
Tympanitis  of  the  guttural  pouch  may  cause  it— a  congenital 
malformation.  Wheezing  may  also  be  caused  by  fracture  of  the 
tracheal  rings  with  depression.  Stenosis  of  the  trachea  follow- 
ing tracheotomy  may  cause  it. 

Treatment.— The  treatment  is  usually  surgical.  Some  cases 
may  be  treated  successfully  with  an  external  application  of  a 
blister  while  iodide  of  potash  is  given  internally. 

Chronic  Cough.— This  condition  is  generally  incurable.  It 
may  come  as  an  accompaniment  of  any  of  the  chronic  laryngeal 
troubles.  It  may  come  from  heaves.  It  is  a  short,  hacking 
throat  cough,  usually  in  spasms.  The  horse  coughs  once,  or  a 
half  dozen  times,  then  stops.  In  roaring  and  other  chronic  lar- 
yngeal diseases,  there  is  usually  a  chronic  cough  and  it  may  be 
the^  only  thing  the  matter.  Pinch  the  larynx  to  locate  the  place 
of  irritation. 

Treatment. — Increased  functional  activity  is  desired,  there- 
fore apply  a  fly  blister  over  the  larynx.  The  blister  should  be 
mild ;  too  severe  an  application  will  blemish  the  thin  skin  wdiich 
covers  the  throat.  After  removing  the  blister  grease  the  throat 
and  wash  it.  Repeat  the  blister  from  three  to  six  times,  six 
weeks  apart.  Internally  give  iodide  of  potash  (1  dram  for  a 
1,200  lb.  horse)  two  or  three  times  a  day  for  a  month,  or  twice 
a  day  for  three  months.  Some  cases  will  yield  to  the  iron  gargle. 
1  ounce  every  four  hours.     Guaiacol  can  be  given  also. 

Guaiacol     1  ounce 

Simple   Syrup    or   Linseed   Oil 15  ounces 

M.  Sig. — Give  1  ounce  3  times  a  day. 

A  valuable  addition  to  this  is  a  little  heroin,  li/>  grains  to 
the  ounce,  especially  if  the  cough  is  painful.  Or  a  little  codine 
can  be  given.    These  quiet  the  laryngeal  nerves. 

In  an  ordinary  case  of  strangles  after  the  abscess  has  been 


54  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

treated,  the  guaiacol  mixture  with  a  fly  blister  on  the  outside,  is 
good  treatment. 

Hygiene. — Keep  the  horse  on  a  grass  diet  or  at  any  rate  on 
soft  feed. 

Paralysis  of  the  Throat  Following  Laryngo-Pharyngitis. — 
This  is  a  very  pecuHar  condition ;  it  is  a  wasting  of  the  soft 
tissues  of  the  throat.  The  skin  is  drawn  tightly  over  the  atlas, 
and  the  outline  of  the  hyoid  bone  can  be  seen.  The  neck  looks 
like  a  skeleton  covered  with  skin.  There  is  paralysis  of  the 
muscles  of  deglutition,  difficult  swallowing,  persistent  coughing 
and  the  food  and  water  come  back  through  the  nose.  The  horse 
runs  down  in  flesh,  is  weak,  and  the  case  becomes  chronic.  This 
disease  is  liable  to  occur  any  time,  but  it  does  not  occur  often. 

Prognosis. — The  prognosis  is  usually  favorable  if  thorough 
treatment  is  carried  out. 

Treatment. — Apply  a  fly  blister  to  the  outside  of  the  thrOat, 
and  repeat  5-6  times  a  month  apart,  being  very  careful  not  to 
blemish  the  skin.  Put  the  animal  on  iodide  of  potash  and  strych- 
nine. Give  a  grain  of  strychnine  with  1  dram  of  iodide  of  potash 
in  two  ounces  of  water  3  times  a  day  for  2-6  months.  The  cases 
all  recover. 

QUINSY. 

In  the  human,  quinsy  is  inflammation  of  the  tonsils  in  which 
abscesses  form.  But  horses  have  no  tonsils,  and  consequently 
they  do  not  have  typical  quinsy.  Pigs,  however,  can  have 
quinsy,  for  they  have  tonsils.  But  in  the  horse,  abscesses  gather 
occasionally  in  the  lymph  glands  about  the  throat  as  a  result  of 
laryngo-pharyngitis.  We  get  quinsy  also  in  some  cases  of 
strangles.  Pus  may  gather  in  the  guttural  pouches — in  one  or  in 
both — and  becoming  confined  there,  produce  pressure  and  dysp- 
noea. 

Etiology. — Quinsy  is  always  secondary  to  severe  inflamma- 
tion of  the  throat.  When  it  comes  with  strangles,  it  is  easy 
enough  to  account  for  it.  but  in  the  other  cases  it  is  not  always 
understood.  These  abscesses,  however,  probably  always  follow 
some  local  inflammation. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  '  55 

Symptoius. — The  symptoms  consist  of  swelling  on  one  or 
both  sides;  if  on  both,  dyspnoea;  swelling  hot,  hard  and  sore 
under  pressure;  usually  a  rise  of  temperature;  pulse  50;  mouth 
full  of  ropy  saliva ;  mucous  membranes  discolored  according  to 
the  amount  of  dyspnoea  present.  The  abscess  may  form  postero- 
superiorly  to  the  pharynx  (post-pharyngeal  abscess)  in  the 
centre,  but  usually  develops  on  one  side  more  than  on  the  other. 
In  all  these  cases  the  nose  is  poked  out.  Pressing  the  nose  to- 
ward the  breast  causes  great  pain ;  if  done  suddenly,  may  make 
the  animal  rear. 

Treatment. — When  the  abscess  present  itself  by  an  external 
swelling,  surgical  interference  is  indicated.  Being  deep-seated, 
these  abscesses  will  not  point  and  rupture  spontaneously,  al- 
though they  may  occasionally  do  so,  and  9  times  out  of  10  they 
have  to  be  opened.  When  called  to  such  a  case,  find  out  the 
history,  the  length  of  time  the  case  has  been  developing,  etc.,  and 
then  operate  5  days  from  the  time  the  disease  began.  If  the  case 
has  been  running  only  2  or  3  days,  order  a  hot  poultice.  Change 
night  and  morning  until  the  abscess  is  5  days  old,  when  the  pus 
will  have  gathered  sufficiently  to  be  easily  found,  and  then  the 
abscess  can  be  evacuated. 

Operation. — The  seat  of  operation  is  a  dangerous  one,  there 
are  so  many  large  blood  vessels  to  be  avoided.  If  the  abscess 
is  superficial,  there  is  not  so  much  danger.  Above  the  larynx 
and  in  front  of  it  there  is  a  small  triangular  space. in  which  to 
cut,— the  external  carotid  and  jugular,  must  be  guarded  against. 
Clip  the  hair  over  a  place  2  inches  in  diameter,  and  make  a  punc- 
ture through  the  most  prominent  point  of  the  swelling  (put 
intermittent  pressure  on  the  jugular  below  so  as  to  easily  see  the 
vein)  and  incise  the  skin  with  an  inward,  up  and  outward  motion 
of  the  knife.  Then  turn  the  knife  down  and  push  it  into  the 
abscess  slowly  until  resistance  ceases.  Then  you  are  into  the 
pus  sac,  and  when  you  withdraw  the  knife,  the  pus  will  come 
out.  \\'ith  a  probe  pointed  bistoury  cut  up  or  down  as  condi- 
tions will  permit,  being  careful  not  to  cut  off  the  blood  vessels, 
and  enlarge  the  opening  sufficiently  to  admit  the  finger.  Slow 
cutting  causes  less  shock  than  fast.  Stabbing  will  produce  shock. 
Syringe  out  the  abscess  and  inject  1  pint  of  antiseptic  solu- 


56  THEORY    AND   PRACTICE 

tion  (bichloride  1-500)  first  and  then  use  a  bichloride  solution 
1-1000  until  the  abscess  is  clean.  Soak  a  pledget  of  oakum  in 
the  bichloride  solution  and  insert  into  the  cavity,  allowing  it  to 
protrude  a  little,  and  then  put  a  hot  linseed  poultice  over  the 
place,  mixing  with  the  meal  a  little  of  a  5  per  cent  solution  of 
carbolic  acid.  This  poultice  will  reduce  the  inflammation 
quickly.  Dress  night  and  morning  until  the  discharge  has  ceased, 
then  stop  the  packing,  smear  the  surface  with  vaseline,  and  put 
on  a  flannel  hood  to  keep  the  parts  warm.  In  about  a  week 
the  horse  can  go  to  work. 

Occasionally  you  may  have  a  hemorrhage.  Do  not  stop 
operating,  but  go  on  quickly  and  finish ;  then  pack  the  cavity 
fuller  than  you  otherwise  would,  and  take  a  stitch  or  two  in  the 
skin  to  keep  the  oakum  in.  Do  not  dress  for  24  hours  and  the 
cut  vessel  will  have  ceased  to  bleed. 

Post-pharyngeal  abscesses  are  treated  in  the  same  way. 

DIPHTHERIA. 

In  the  human,  diphtheria  is  a  specific  inflammation  of  the 
throat  with  the  formation  of  a  false  membrane.  It  is  a  consti- 
tutional disease  of  the  exogenous  type.  The  diagnosis  is  made 
by  making  a  microscopical  examination  of  the  scrapings  from 
the  throat,  in  which  will  be  found  the  bacillus  of  diphtheria. 

Treatment. — This  consists  in  the  administering  of  anti-diph- 
theritic, serum.  The  serum  is  obtained  from  horses  that  have 
been  inoculated  with  cultures  of  the  bacillus  until  no  febrile  reac- 
tion follows.  The  neck  is  washed  and  shaved,  and  the  jugular 
is  tapped,  and  the  blood  is  drawn  off  into  a  sterile  vessel.  After 
the  blood  has  clotted,  the  serum  is  removed  and  treated  in  some 
way  to  prevent  decomposition,  and  then  is  put  up  in  sealed  cases 
for  distribution. 

The  horse  is  used  for  this  work  because  he  is  especially 
healthy  and  his  tissues  are  good  culture  media  for  the  germs. 
He  is  only  used  once  for  this  purpose  and  is  then  sold. 

There  is  no  disease  among  the  lower  animals  corresponding 
to  diphtheria  in  the  human. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  57 

BRONCHITIS. 

Definition. — Bronchitis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  mucous 
membrane  Hning  the  bronchi  or  bronchioles.  It  is  divided  into 
three  classes,  acute,  subacute  and  chronic.  The  acute  form  afifects 
the  large  bronchi  mainly,'  but  in  severely  acute  cases  the 
bronchioles  may  become  involved.  The  inflammation  is  catarrhal 
in  nature  on  account  of  the  free  flow  of  mucous  present.  Occa- 
sionally the  air  vesicles  are  also  involved  in  the  inflammation, 
and  pneumonia  is  the  result.  We  may  have  bronchitis  and  pneu- 
monia running  at  the  same — broncho-pneumonia. 

Bronchitis  is  very  common  in  the  horse,  dog  and  man.  The 
same  phenomena  are  in  all  cases.  It  usually  runs  the  first  and 
second  stages  of  inflammation  and  then  an  absorption  of  the 
inflammatory  products  takes  place,  the  case  terminating  by  reso- 
lution.    But  it  may  become  chronic,  especially  in  man  and  cattle. 

Acute. — The  inflammation  runs  from  10  days  to  4  weeks 
and  terminates  favorably.  In  an  unfavorable  case,  say  one 
which  runs  on  to  the  third  stage,  the  mucous  follicles  suppurate 
and  an  absorption  of  the  toxins  and  poisonous  products  takes 
place  and  90%  of  such  cases  die  from  septicemia  in  2-4  weeks. 
Another  fatal  termination  of  the  case  occurs  in  the  second  stage. 
In  this  case  the  effusion  is  excessive  and  occludes  the 
bronchioles.  The  animal  would  die  quickly  from  asphyxiation 
if  the  condition  were  extensive  enough.  But  it  is  usually  local- 
ized and  the  air  in  the  vesicles  of  the  occluded  bronchioles  be- 
comes absorbed  and  the  vesicles  collapse,  producing  atelectasis. 
the  so-called  foetal  lung.  It  is  small,  blue,  more  or  less  solid 
and  does  not  crepitate. 

Etiology. — The  cause  of  bronchitis  is  usually  exposure  to  cold 
when  the  animal  is  tired.  Exhaustion  lessens  the  powers  of 
resistance.  Acute  bronchitis  may  develop  from  laryngitis.  It 
may  be  prodiiced  by  impure  air,  such  as  we  find  in  close  stables, 
on  board  ship,  etc.  Introduction  of  foreign  bodies  into  the 
bronchi,  medicine,  food  or  any  other  body,  will  cause  bronchitis. 
It  is  more  common  in  children  and  dogs.  Attempt  to  drench  an 
ox  which  is  in  a  comatose  condition  and  the  failure  of  the 
epiglottis  to  close  down  may  cause  asphyxia  and  at  any  rate  acute 


58  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE    ' 

bronchitis.  Gastric  flatulence  in  the  horse  is  often  followed  by 
acute  bronchitis  because  of  the  irritation  produced  by  vomited 
matter  falling  into  the  air  passage  as  it  passes  over  the  larynx 
and  descend  to  the  bronchi.  Gastric  flatulence  produces  great 
nervous  prostration  and  the  glottis,  its  nerves  and  muscles,  are 
depressed.  In  drenching  a  horse  do  not  elevate  his  head  too 
high.  It  is  bad  practice  to  drench  a  horse  through  the  nose. 
Inhalations  of  smoke  and  hot  air  in  burning  stables  may  cause 
bronchitis. 

Symptoms. — Bronchitis  is  usually  ushered  in  with  a  rigor  if 
the  inflammation  follows  exposure.  The  mucous  membranes 
are  injected.  The  first  stage  runs  a  rapid  course  and  the  cough 
is  deep,  hoarse  and  dry.  The  temperature  is  105-107  and  the 
pulse  50,  soft,  full,  round  and  regular.  The  respirations  are 
18-20  per  minute.     The  stage  lasts  about  6  hours. 

In  the  second  stage  effusion  begins  with  a  limpid  reddish 
discharge  from  the  nose.  The  expired  air  is  hot  and  by  auscul- 
tation over  the  front  of  the  neck  at  the  base  of  the  trachea  a 
loud  rasping  sound  can  be  heard.  In  a  few  days  the  mucous 
membranes  secrete  an  abnormal  mucous  that  coagulates  and 
looks  like  starch.  In  the  bronchi  some  effusion  occurs,  and 
there  is  a  lot  of  mucous  that  does  not  coagulate.  Mucous  rales 
can  be  heard  at  the  base  of  the  neck.  The  nostrils  are  dilated, 
the  appetite  usually  lost  and  secretions  altered,  and  the  excre- 
tions scanty ;  cough  moist  and  suppressed,  painful  and  made  with 
the  mouth  closed. 

Course. — In  the  first  stage  we  find  the  head  hung  low;  ears 
drooping;  visible  mucous  membranes  red;  pulse  55;  respiration 
20;  temperature  106-108  according  to  the  condition  of  the  horse. 

In  the  second  stage  the  first  evidence  will  be  a  watery  dis- 
charge from  the  nose,  while  the  pulse  becomes  rapid  and  softer. 
Respiration  by  this  time  probably  will  get  up  to  24  and  pulse 
probably  60.  Expiring  air  hot  and  loaded  with  moisture,  espe- 
cially plain  if  the  horse  is  in  a  cold  atmosphere.  By  this  time 
the  appetite  is  less  and  the  thirst  probably  a  little  increased,  feces 
inclined  to  be  slimy,  discharge  from  the  nOse  quite  profuse  and 
more  or  less  starch  like,  cough  deep,  painful  and  suppressed. 
When  the  horse  coughs  he  arches  his  back,  lowers  his  head  and 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  59 

refrains  from  coughing  as  much  as  possible  because  it  is  pain- 
ful; coughs  with  his  mouth  shut,  which  is  about  the  only  case 
where  this  occurs. 

This  stage  is  very  indefinite  in  length,  may  be  from  3-20  days. 
In  moderately  bad  cases  the  mucous  rattle  will  be  heard  in  the 
large  bronchi.     In  a  very  severe  case  you  will  hear  a  squeaky 
sound  in  the  outer  third  of  the  lung.     When  you  hear  this  you 
can  conclude  that  you  have  a  very  serious  case  on  hand.     These 
sounds  are  spoken  of  as  "sibilant"  sounds  and  indicate  a  very 
severe  and  dangerous  case.     They  indicate  that  the  bronchioles 
are  involved  and  the  condition  is   so  distinct  that  it  has   been 
given  a  separate  name  called  Bronchiolitis,  which  is  an  inflam- 
mation  of  the  mucous   lining  of   the  bronchioles.     In  the   first 
stage  you  are  not  likely  to  hear  a  rattle  in  the  outer  third  of  the 
lungs  but  as  the  case  runs  into  the  second  stage  and  through  it, 
the  efiiusion  is  more  plastic  than  that  in  the  large  bronchi,  so 
much  so  that  another  name  is  given  to  it ;  it  is  called  "fibrinous," 
which    indicates    a    coagulable    character    and    suggests    possible 
dangers — effusion  and  exudation  and  tendency  to  coagulate  and 
plug  the  bronchioles.     In  this  case  under  auscultation  there  will 
be  more  or  less   dullness   or  possibly  more  or  less   absence  of 
sound,  which  will  compel  you  to  consider  the  case  very  danger- 
ous.    This  may  involve  any  part  of  one  lung  or  both  lungs.     If 
both  lungs  are  involved  the  horse  will   surely  die.     This  dull- 
ness  or  partial   absence   of   sound   under   auscultation   indicates 
occlusion   of  the  bronchi.     In  a   favorable  case  the   fever  sub- 
sides and  the  mucous   rattle  gradually  grows  less,  coughing  is 
less  often  and  painful  and  the  appetite  returns.     The  horse  has 
been  persistently  standing  up  to  this  time,  but  he  may  soon  lie 
down    and   the    lungs    recover   by   resolution.      In    neglected   or 
prolonged    cases    the    horse    may    retain    his    cough    for    many 
months  or  even  life. 

In  the  third  stage  (suppuration)  some  of  the  mucous  glands 
suppurate,  the  discharge  from  the  nose  then  becomes  muco- 
purulent. The  odor  of  the  expiring  air  is  fetid.  This  fetor  is 
a  positive  indication  of  the  third  stage.  The  temperature  usually 
remains  around  103  to  104,  possibly  dropping  a  little ;  pulse  60, 
70,  75  or  78,  weak,  soft  and  small,  appetite  poor;  horse  loses 


60  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

flesh  rapidly  and  dies  in  from  2  to  4  weeks  from  septicemia. 
The  fetor  of  this  expiring  air  is  so  marked  that  you  can  smell 
it  plainly. 

90%  of  the  cases  of  bronchitis  in  the  third  stage  die  and  it 
is  safe  to  say  that  at  least  90%  of  the  cases  that  do  not  run 
beyond  the  second  stage  recover.  In  cattle  acute  bronchitis  is 
more  apt  to  prove  fatal  than  in  horses. 

Special  Pathology. — In  the  first  stage  the  ciliary  epithelium 
is  ruffled  up  producing  the  sensation  of  rawness  that  we  feel  in 
such  cases  and  the  mucous  membrane  is  intensely  congested. 

In  the  second  stage  the  effusion  of  serum  increases  and  there 
is  a  secretion  of  degenerated  mucous  that  coagulates  more  or 
less.  This  serum  macerates  the  attachments  of  the  ciliary 
epithelium  and  they  become  loose  and  float  out  with  the  dis- 
charge leaving  the  surface  unprotected.  If  the  disease  is  con- 
fined to  the  bronchi  no  further  development  will  take  place  un- 
less it  goes  on  to  the  third  stage,  which  is  that  of  suppuration. 
In  that  case  some  suppuration  will  take  place  and  probably 
ulceration.  This  ulceration  in  all  probability  leads  to  a  fatal 
termination  by  absorption  of  the  putrefactive  matter.  In  cases 
of  bronchitis  the  effusion  is  drawn  back  by  inspiration,  leading 
to  the  plugging  of  the  bronchioles.  This  condition  is  spoken  of 
as  "occlusion."  In  some  cases  some  of  the  thinner  portion  of 
the  effusion  or  mucous  may  be  forced  back  into  the  vesicles. 
The  air  in  the  vesicles  at  the  ends  of  the  occluded  bronchioles 
becomes  absorbed.  In  that  case  the  vesicles  collapse,  which 
constitutes  atelectasis,  producing  what  is  known  as  ''fetal  lung." 

Post  Mortem. — There  are  three  stages  in  bronchitis  in  which 
horses  may  die.  One  is  when  the  eff'usion  in  the  bronchi  is  ex- 
cessive, filling  the  smaller  bronchi  and  the  horse  dies  from 
asphyxiation,  practically  in  the  same  condition  as  an  animal 
would  be  under  water.  In  bronchitis  with  effusion  the  medium 
sized  bronchi  are  full  and  the  horse  practically  drowns.  The 
second  is  when  he  goes  into  the  third  stage  and  dies  from  septi- 
caemia. Third,  when  he  has  bronchiolitis  with  occlusion  and 
atelectasis. 

The  post  mortem  characteristics  are  as  follows:  The  large 
bronchi  are  about  half  filled,  we  will  say,  with  a  frothy,  bloody, 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  61 

sero-mucuus  liquid;  the  smaller  or  medium  sized  bronchi  will 
be  found  full  of  this.  Cut  the  lung  across  and  upon  pressure 
large  quantities  of  this  liquid  will  be  forced  out  of  the 
bronchi.  If  the  horse  dies  in  the  third  stage  pus  will  be  pres- 
ent. If  you  lay  open  the  bronchi  you  will  find  more  or  less  ul- 
ceration. The  affected  part  of  the  lungs  will  be  blue,  non- 
crepitant,  usually  with  small  whitish  spots  or  specks,  about  a 
quarter  the  size  of  a  pinhead  under  the  pleura.  These  specks  are 
mucous  or  serum  which  is  forced  back  into  the  vessels  in  the 
effort  to  breathe. 

Treatment  of  an  average  case  with  a  temperature  of  107  fol- 
lowing a  chill;  horse  weighing  1200  lbs;  pulse  55;  respiration 
20;  visible  mucous  membranes  red,  head  hanging,  ears  drooping. 

Criticise  the  stable;  see  that  the  horse  does  not  stand  in  a 
draft  and  gets  plenty  of  fresh  air.  Ventilate  the  stable  well. 
Put  in  a  box  stall  if  possible.  Put  a  stove  in  the  barn  under 
the  window,  a  thermometer  near  the  horse  and  keep  the  tem- 
perature of  the  stable  60  to  66  degrees.  Put  two  blankets  and  a 
hood  on  him,  bandage  his  legs,  keep  the  drafts  off  his  feet  by 
placing  plenty  of  straw  on  the  floor.  If  the  horse  has  a  rapid 
pulse,  if  effusion  is  profuse  and  there  is  depression,  then  give 
him  a  stimulant. 

Give  1  dram  of  acetanilid  every  2-4  hours,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  horse.  Put  on  regular  fever  mixture  less  the  aconite 
with  1  ounce  of  muriate  of  ammonia  added  to  a  pint  mixture. 
Apply  some  counter-irritant  on  both  sides  of  the  chest  and  in 
front.  Provide  a  nurse  day  and  night  and  see  the  horse  twice 
a  day. 

With  the  fever  mixture  and  the  acetanilid  you  can  reduce  the 
fever  in  24  hours.  If  the  mucous  glands  are  severely  excited 
and  inflamed,  then  do  not  try  to  reduce  it  too  quickly. 

Suppose  you  have  a  severe  case — temperature  106,  pulse  90, 
respiration  30,  etc.  You  must  stimulate  with  alcohol,  quinine, 
strychnine,  strophanthus  and  perhaps  nitroglycerine.  Increase 
the  strength  of  the  heart  if  possible.  We  get  the  best  results 
from  moderate  doses  repeated  often. 

If  you  have  a  valuable  draft  stallion  to  treat,  mucous  rales, 
pulse  90  and  soft,  mucous  membranes  blue,  etc.,  give  a  dram  of 


62  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

nux  vomica  every  hour  night  and  day  and  a  dram  of  alcohol 
and  20  grains  of  quinine  at  the  same  time. 

Alcohol  promotes  diuresis  sufficiently  in  this  stage.  It  is  a 
good  plan  to  add  a  little  gentian  to  keep  the  stomach  in  order. 
Give  the  animal  anything  that  he  will  eat. 

Counter-irritation  I  am  a  firm  believer  in.  For  this  use 
ammoniacal  liniment  or  mustard. 

As  to  hygiene  keep  the  patient  warmly  clothed  and  the  stable 
at  the  right  temperature. 

In  painful  persistent  bronchial  cough  give  fl.  ex.  glycyrrhiza, 
ammonium  chloride,  strychnine,  strophanthus  or  digitalis,  and  an 
anodine  such  as  heroin  (an  alkaloid)  of  which  give  a  grain 
every  4  hours.     Make  up  a  mixture  on  this  basis. 

In  prescribing  you  must  know  the  physiological  action  of 
drugs. 

As  regards  cats  and  dogs,  they  can  be  dosed  according  to 
the  breed,  size  and  age  of  the  animal. 

Cattle  are  more  subject  to  fatal  bronchitis  than  horses. 

Prognosis. — Bronchiolitis  is  serious.  In  acute  bronchitis 
90%  recover  and  the  other  10%  includes  bronchiolitis  and  sup- 
purative bronchitis.  50%  of  bronchiolitic  cases  recover  and 
10%  of  suppurative  bronchitis. 

Chronic  Bronchitis  does  not  exist  very  often  in  horses.  It 
has  a  peculiar  morbid  anatomy — a  chronic  dilatation  of  the 
bronchioles,  and  a  chronic  irritation  of  the  mucous  membranes. 
This  in  cattle  is  so  marked,  and  the  exudate  is  so  plastic,  that 
fibrinous  tumors  forms  in  the  large  bronchi.  This  never  occurs 
in  horses,  but  is  found  in  people  and  in  cattle  and  predisposes 
the  animal  to  tuberculosis,  at  least  this  is  the  general  opinion. 

Such  an  animal  is  ahvays  unthrifty  and  has  a  distressing 
bronchial  cough. 

Treatment. — There  is  not  very  much  that  can  be  done.  Treat 
on  general  principles.  Give  animal  a  grass  diet.  Give  a  heart 
stimulant  along  with 

1.  Iodide  of  Potash. 

2.  Strychnine. 

3.  Muriate  of  ammonia. 

4.  Heroin. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  63 

Hydrocyanic  acid  is  recommended  by  some  text-books,  but 
I  have  not  had  success  with  it.     It  kills  by  paralyzing  the  heart. 

HEAVES  OR  PULMONARY  EMPHYSEMA. 

This  disease  is  known  among  horsemen  as  broken  zuiiid. 
Pulmonary  emphysema  would  seem  a  paradoxical  expression  be- 
cause emphysema  indicates  that  air  is  present  where  it  should 
not  be :  but  in  this  case  we  have  dilated  air  vesicles  and  an  ex- 
cess of  air  in  a  place  where  air  is  normally  present. 

Nature. — Pulmonary  Emphysema  is  a  neurosis  affecting  the 
pneumogastric  nerve,  and  incidentally  the  heart  and  lungs.  In 
the  lungs  the  air  vesicles  dilate  and  sometimes  rupture,  with  ex- 
tensive destruction  of  the  contractility  of  the  lung  substance. 
Consequently  dyspnoea  results. 

Etiology. — We  divide  the  causes  into  four  classes:  1. 
Heredity;  2.  Breed;  3.  Dietetics;  4.  Structural  changes,  de- 
pendent upon  a  previously  diseased  condition. 

It  is  not  difficult  to  say  wherein  heredity  produces  heaves — 
so  much  so  that  in  localities  where  stallion  inspection  is  practiced, 
a  "heavy"  stallion  cannot  stand  in  a  public  stud,  and  this  is 
proper.  Heaves  is  unquestionably  hereditary.  Dr.  Baker  sug- 
gests that  this  factor  may  have  a  relation  to  the  gluttonous  appe- 
tite of  the  parent. 

Breed  is  not  a  very  important  factor  in  the  etiology.  Prof. 
Robertson  claimed,  however,  that  the  light  draft  breed  is  most 
subject  to  heaves. 

Dietetics  cuts  a  very  important  figure.  This  even  plays  its 
part  in  heredity.  A  bulky  innutritions  diet,  tends  tO'  produce 
heaves — especially  is  overripe  Timothy  hay  a  very  common  cause 
of  heaves.  All  horses  living  on  overripe  Timothy  do  not  have 
heaves,  but  heredity  comes  in  to  determine  the  percentage. 

In  structural  changes  depending  upon  a  previously  diseased 
condition,  the  lungs  may  have  had  their  function  partially  sus- 
pended by  pneumonia  or  bronchitis  and  the  healthy  part  had  to 
do  the  work  of  the  whole,  in  which  a  chronic  dilatation  of  the 
air  vesicles  took  place  in  the  healthy  part. 

In  case  of  dilatation  of  the  bronchioles,  the  air  vesicles  at 


64  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

the  ends   of  those  bronchioles  become  dilated  and  the  lung  is 
emphysematous. 

When  a  horse  with  a  full  stomach  is  driven  rapidly  against 
a  strong  wind,  he  is  very  apt  to  develop  heaves.  The  pathogene- 
sis is  this :  the  stomach  rests  upon  the  diaphragm  interfering  with 
respiration  and  the  horse  takes  in  too  much  wind  and  the  powers 
of  expiration  become  tired.  The  horse  takes  in  more  air  than 
his  lungs  can  dispel  because  the  diaphragm  gets  tired,  due  to 
pressure  of  the  stomach. 

Nature. — Pulmonary  emphysema  may  be  either  vesicular  or 
interlobular.  Vesicular  is  seen  in  the  horse  in  the  form  of  dila- 
tation of  the  vesicles.  Interlobular  is  seen  in  cattle  in  which  the 
air  is  found  in  the  interlobular  connective  tissue.  The  probable 
reason  for  this  difference  is  that  in  the  horse  there  is  very  little 
interlobular  connective  tissue  and  the  Vv^alls  of  the  vesicles  are 
stronger,  while  in  cattle  the  interlobular  connective  tissue  is 
abundant  and  there  is  little  or  no  resistance  to  the  air  passing 
through  the  vesicular  walls  into  the  connective  tissue  around 
them. 

Pathogenesis  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — In  this  connection  I 
shall  endeavor  to  show  you  the  connection  between  cause  and 
effect  and  how  the  effect  is  produced  by  the  cause  through  the 
pneumogastric  nerve.  The  pathogenesis  will  also  include  the 
morbid  anatomy. 

Assume  that  a  horse  has  an  excessive  hereditary  ap- 
petite and  is  a  ravenous  eater;  eats  all  that  is  given  him, 
wants  more  and  is  inclined  to  eat  his  bedding  after  he  has  eaten 
his  feed !  The  result  is  distention  of  the  stomach,  partly  caused 
by  eating  more  or  less  innutritions  food.  Over-ripe  Timothy 
hay  is  not  fit  for  horse  feed.  If  he  has  to  eat  it  he  should  not 
be  allowed  to  eat  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  straw,  this  the 
upper  part;  the  lower  third  or  perhaps  half  of  it  is  too  woody 
and  hard  and  contains  little  nourishment.  Suppose  now  that 
this  horse  with  a  ravenous  appetite  is  being  fed  on  overripe 
Timothy  hay, — he  will  develop  the  heaves.  He  is  forced  into 
the  habit  of  having  his  stomach  filled  with  innutritions  food  and 
will  soon  not  be  satisfied  with  the  ordinary  amoimt  of  feed. 
The  result  is  that  the  walls  of  the  stomach  become  distended, 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  65 

and  this  produces  pressure  on  the  gastric  periphery  of  the  pneu- 
mogastric  nerves.  This  is  the  starting  point  of  heaves.  It 
starts  in  the  stomach.  This  pressure  effects  these  peripheral 
nerves,  increases  their  irritabiHty.  This  disturbed  condition  of 
the  nerves  constitutes  what  is  known  as  neurosis.  The  neural 
disturbance  works  upwards  and  forwards  through  the  pneu- 
mogastric  and  involves  the  pulmonary  and  more  or  less  the 
cardiac  branches.  The  pulmonary  branch  is  lessened  in  tonicity 
which  allows  the  vesicles  to  dilate  by  reducing  their  tonicity. 
These  vesicles  dilate  a  little  more  and  more  every  day  until 
finally  the  dilatation  becomes  chronic. 

In  connection  with  the  pathogenesis,  especially  as  it  refers  to 
morbid  anatomy,  notice  the  results  on  the  vesicle  walls.  The 
first  affect  of  the  dilatation  is  anaemia  of  the  vesicle  walls.  This 
is- a  natural  mechanical  result.  The  second  eft"ect  is  irritation, 
and  then  follows  a  mild  subacute  inflammation  which  runs  into 
a  chronic.  The  only  evidence  we  have  of  chronic  inflammation 
in  these  air  vesicles  is  cell  proliferation.  This  produces  a  thick- 
ening of  the  walls  of  the  vesicles  and  destroys  their  contractility. 
If  the  early  development  of  the  disease  is  rapid  you  may  get 
rupture  of  several  vesicles  into  one  large  one.  Imagine  that  this 
is  quite  general  throughout  the  lungs  and  you  can  imagine  you 
are  going  to  have  considerable  disturbance  in  respiration.  In 
this  pathogenic  connection  you  will  'find  that  the  horse  is  worse 
at  times;  this  is  due  to  the  condition  of  the  stomach.  If  a 
heavy  horse  gets  an  unusually  big  load  of  food  in  the  stomach 
you  will  have  increased  irritability  of  the  pneumogastric  nerves 
and  the  pulmonary  branches  as  well.  This  irritability  of  the 
sympathetic  system  that  supplies  the  unstripped  muscular  fibres 
prod'Tces  spasms  of  them. 

Symptoms. — Heaves  may  be  incipient  or  confirmed.  In  in- 
cipient heaves  you  have  the  disturbed  function  without  the  mor- 
bid anatomy.  In  confirmed  heaves  you  have  the  disturbed  func- 
tion and  morbid  anatomy.  It  is  therefore  difficult  in  some  cases 
to  diagnose  a  case  of  incipient  heaves.  If  the  doctor  can  diag- 
nose this  he  can  cure  it.  Anybody  can  diagnose  confirmed 
heaves,  but  nobody  can  cure  it. 

The  symptoms  of  incipient  heaves  are  as  follows:  Breathmg 


66  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

about  30 ;  nostrils  slightly  dilated ;  spasmodic  cough  that  is 
usually  dry  but  without  pain ;  pulse  and  temperature  normal ; 
coughing  sometimes  in  spasms ;  horse  feels  well,  drives  well  and 
eats  like  a  pig — never  misses  a  meal ;  abdomen  good  sized,  though 
probably  not  over  large ;  animal  usually  in  good  flesh,  assuming 
that  he  is  liberally  fed  and  exercised  every  day.  If  the  horse  is 
quiet  for  two  or  three  hours  you  can  hear  a  little  mucous  rattle  at 
the  base  of  the  trachea.  This  mucous  rattle  indicates  irritation 
of  the  bronchi  or  perhaps  of  the  bronchioles. 

In  confirmed  heaves  we  have  these  symptoms :  inspiration 
normal;  first  half  of  expiration  normal;  second  half  requiring 
additional  force  which  is  brought  to  bear  upon  the  diaphragm 
by  contraction  of  the  abdominal  muscles,  which  throws  the 
abdominal  viscera  forward  upon  the  diaphragm,  pressing  the 
lungs.  Concomitant  with  this  is  a  firm  contraction  of  the  inter- 
costal muscles  and  the  second  half  of  the  tidal  air  is  forced  out 
by  mechanical  pressure.  Just  as  soon  as  this  is  accomplished 
the  abdominal  muscles  instantly  drop  back  to  their  normal  posi- 
tion. This  produces  a  flank  movement  which  is  characteristic 
of  heaves.  If  this  flank  movement  is  present  you  can  satisfy 
yourself  that  the  case  is  one  of  heaves,  that  is  incurable  and  that 
there  is  morbid  anatomy  in  the  lungs.  In  chronic  heaves  the 
cough  is  apt  to  be  more  spasmodic.  Sometimes  the  horse  will 
cough  for  a  minute  or  two  without  stopping.  During  asthmatic 
exacerbations  the  nostrils  are  dilated  and  the  visible  mucous 
membranes  frequently  become  cyanotic.  A  chronic  heaver  al- 
ways suffers  more  or  less  from  chronic  indigestion.  This  is 
manifested  by  a  thinness  of  flesh,  pot  belly,  long  coat  and  general 
unthriftiness,  and  by  breaking  wind  while  coughing. 

Treatment. — The  whole  treatment  should  have  a  bearing 
upon  the  pneumogastric  nerve  which  needs  its  irritability 
lessened.     The  following  is  a  good  prescription: 

Fl.  Ex.  Gelsemium 1  dram 

Lobelia     1  dram 

Chloral    Hydrate    (freshly    dissolved) 1  dram 

Aqua 1  pint 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  67 

The  treatment  should  follow  along  the  line  of  a  tonic  for 
the  nerves. 

Best  tonic    arsenic 

Best   stimulant    strychnine 

Best   sedative    lobelia 

Bear  in  mind  that  the  horse  will  eat  anything — in  fact  is  in- 
clined to  be  gluttonous.     Therefore  give  his  medicine  in  powders. 
In   order   to   insure   that  the   horse  gets   the  powder,   put  a 
double  handful  of  bran  in  with  the  oats,  dampen  it,  and  mix 
well.     This  is  the  only  medicine  the  horse  will  require. 

Arsenic     2  drams 

Lobel.   sem.    pulv 8  ounces 

Nux    Vomica     4  ounces 

Gentian    Ed 4  ounces 

Charcoal    1  ounce 

Ft.  60  powders — these  will  last  a  month. 

M.  Sig. — 1  powder  night  and  morning  in  the  feed. 

Hygiene. — Regulate  feed.  Give  horse  a  change  of  hay — 
limit  the  amount  to  10-14  lbs.  a  day.  After  he  has  eaten  up  his 
hay  put  on  a  muzzle.  This  is  absolutely  indispensable.  It  is  a 
good  plan  to  divide  the  feed  into  2  feeds.  If  the  horse  is  on  the 
track,  take  him  away  and  let  him  rest  a  month — this  gives  the 
air  cells  time  to  rest.  Give  the  same  amount  of  grain  as  usual. 
The  stomach  in  this  case  is  distended  from  bulky  food,  and  not 
from  the  grain.  There  is  a  lot  of  virtue  in  bran — not  from  its 
nutritive  qualities  but  from  its  indigestibility. 

In  3  or  4  weeks  the  cough  will  disappear  if  the  hygiene  is 
regarded.  After  having  one  attack,  the  horse  is  predisposed  to 
another.     This  hygiene  must  be  carried  out  as  long  as  he  lives. 

Three  points  I  wish  to  emphasize. 

1.  That  the  nature  of  case  is  neurosis  starting  in  the 

stomach  and  we  must  treat  the  pneumogastric. 

2.  Give  a  sedative,  then  a  tonic. 

3.  Then  comes  the  muzzle.     Do  not   forget  the  hy- 

giene. 

Don't  imagine  that  rapid  breathing  indicates  thoracic  trouble, 

and  that  breathing  30  times  a  minute  and  dilated   nostrils  are 

diagnostic  of  acute  bronchitis.     Do  not  diagnose  a  case  from  the 

first  symptoms  or  one  symptom.     In  incipient  heaves  you  have 


6S  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

(lilated  nostrils  without  dropping  of  the  flanks.  Just  as  soon 
as  you  get  morbid  anatomy,  then  you  have  confirmed  heaves. 
Incipient  heaves  is  curable ;  confirmed  heaves  is  not — it  all  hangs 
on  the  morbid  anatomy. 

Confirmed  Heaves. — The  treatment  practically  is  the  same 
except  you  may  have  to  give  more  of  the  nerve  sedatives  and 
treat  the  stomach,  for  it  is  always  in  a  state  of  chronic  indiges- 
tion. Do  not  give  too  much  arsenic.  You  can  relieve  the  dis- 
tress in  the  breathing  in  confirmed  heaves,  but  can't  cure  it.  If 
you  have  to  give  Timothy  hay,  let  it  be  cut  early,  when  it  is 
full  in  bloom.  If  you  wait  until  the  bloom  (2nd  bloom)  is  off, 
the  lower  half  of  the  stalk  is  of  no  use. 

In  examining  horses  for  soundness,  you  must  watch  closely 
for  the  wind  of  the  horse,  for  dealers  have  means  of  covering 
up  the  wind  by  giving  alleviating  remedies.  Watch  the  action  of 
the  flanks;  notice  how  long  it  takes  the  horse  to  recover  after 
being  jumped.  Normal  horse  recovers  his  wind  in  two  or  three 
breaths:  a  horse  may  take  an  half  hour — then  be  suspicious. 
Catch  the  horse  by  the  bit  and  shake  him  up!  Slap  him  on  the 
ribs,  and  if  he  has  confirmed  heaves  he  will  grunt — then  turn  him 
clown. 

You  can't  cover  up  a  roarer  with  dope  so  that  if  he  is  a 
whistler,  a  roarer,  etc.,  the  quick  jump  will  bring  it  out,  but  the 
grunt  indicates  heaves. 

If  a  bovine  has  heaves,  it  is  no  great  matter :  we  are  never 
called  to  treat  it — it  is  simply  a  scientific  pathological  curiosity. 

ASTHMA. 

There  is  a  great  difference  of  opinion  as  to  whether  horses 
have  asthma  or  not,  but  the  best  authorities  recognize  it.  It  is 
so  closely  related  to  heaves  that  the  two  are  identical  with  a 
little  difference  in  symptoms. 

Symptoms{. — These  are  as  follows: 

1.  Asthma  never  arises  as  an  original 
lesion — animal  has  heaves  in  the  in- 
cipient or  confirmed  form. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  69 

2.  Marked    dyspnoea — equally    so    in    in- 

spiration and  expiration. 

3.  Wheezing     both     in     inspiration     and 

expiration.  The  air  goes  in  and  out 
with  difficulty  but  in  heaves  the  ex- 
piration only  is  accompanied  by 
strong  breathing. 

4.  Symptoms  suddenly  developed. 

5.  Anxious  countenance. 

6.  Flanks  heaving. 

7.  Wheezing. 

8.  Temperature,  102-5. 

9.  Pulse  60,  or  thereabouts. 

Diagnosis. — How  shall  we  differentiate  asthma  from  acute 
bronchitis  ?  The  wheeze  we  never  get  in  acute  bronchitis ;  it  is 
produced  by  spasmodic  contraction  of  the  non-striated  muscles 
in  the  bronchioles,  and  this  contraction  is  caused  by  the  sud- 
dently  increased  irritability  of  the  pneumogastric  nerve.  The 
pulse  and  temperature  are  incidental — not  diagnostic,  probably 
due  to  the  dyspnoea. 

Treatment. — Nerve  sedative  is  indicated.     The  sedatives  are: 

1.  Gelsemium. 

2.  Lobelia. 

3.  Chloral  Hydrate. 

4.  Belladonna. 

Give  liberal  doses  every  hour  until  horse  is  relieved.  Also 
you  can  give  a  hypodermic  dose  of  morphine  (4  grj  and  atro- 
pine (1-2  grain)  and  repeat  after  3  or  4  hours. 

PULMONARY  CONGESTION. 

In  its  severe  form  pulmonary  congestion  is  known  as  pul- 
monary apoplexy,  mechanical  engorgement,  hemorrhagic  infarc- 
tion (impaction  means  the  same),  etc. 

Nature.— \t  is  a  passive  congestion  of  the  lungs— the  capillar- 
ies and  veins  are  involved.  Suppose  the  capillaries  become 
plugged  and  the  outlet  is  dammed  and  the  arterioles  become  in- 
volved, as  a  result  we  get: 


70  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

1.  Interrupted  nutrition. 

2.  Dilatation  of  the  blood  vessels. 

3.  More  or  less  extravasation. 

4.  Sometimes  hemorrhage  by  rhexis. 

In  case  of  hemorrhagic  infarction,  it  is  never  general 
throughout  the  lungs,  but  in  patches,  which  are  black  and  solid. 

Etiology. — The  most  common  cause  of  a  typical  case  is  se- 
vere exertion  when  the  animal  is  not  in  a  condition  to  take  it. 
This  applies  to  horses.  A  horse  ''out  of  condition"  is  gross — 
has  not  had  sufficient  work.  The  animal  is  plethoric  and  there 
is  an  excess  of  fat  in  and  around  the  muscles  and  kidneys,  which 
weakens  the  muscles,  and  that  around  the  heart  weakens  the 
heart.  The  bowels  are  larger  and  more  vascular;  the  blood 
vessels  are  larger  and  the  walls  are  weaker. 

A  horse  "in  condition"  to  take  fast  work  is  in  just  the  reverse 
condition. 

1.  Muscles     are    clearly    delineated    ancJ 

hard. 

2.  Walls  of  vessels  are  strong. 

3.  Contractility     of     the     lung    tissue     is 

strong — weak  in  horse  "out  of  condi- 
tion.'* 
A  horse  "out  of  condition"  has  a  weak  heart;  a  horse  "in 
condition"  has  a  strong  heart.  The  conditioning  of  a  horse  to 
do  fast  work  is  a  slow  process,  but  he  must  have  regular  work — 
work  off  the  surplus  water  and  fat.  Let  the  horse  stand  in  the 
stable  10  days,  well  fed,  and  not  exercised,  and  then  be  taken  out. 
Then  if  he  starts  out  at  12  miles  an  hour  the  following  symp- 
toms will  show  up : 

1.  Horse  begins  to  blow. 

2.  Slows  up  in  his  gait. 

3.  Short  in  his  wind. 

If  the  driver  has  any  sense,  he  will  let  him  slow  up.  but  sup- 
pose he  hits  him  a  crack,  and  the  horse  jumps  into  a  quick  pace 
again,  then 

4.  He  breaks  out  into  sweat. 

5.  Slows  up  again. 

6.  Looks  around — eyes  blood-shot. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  71 

7.  Anxious  countenance. 

8.  Elbows  turned  out. 

9.  Panting  100  a  minute. 

10.  Expired  air  is  cold — air  does  not  reach 

the  capillaries  so  as  to  get  warm. 

11.  Ears  and  extremities  cold. 

12.  Hemoptysis    (in    bad    cases) — bleeding 

from  lungs. 

13.  Blood    coming    from    the    nostrils    is 

frothy. 

14.  Action    of    heart    is    tumultuous — the 

beats   come   piling   in   one   after    an- 
other. 

15.  Pulse  irregular  in  every   respect — fre- 

quency, force  and  rhythm. 

In  an  aggravated  case — we  do  not  see  it  in  this  country — 
the  horse  dies  right  away.  Such  can  happen  with  young  bloods, 
in  fox  hunts,  etc.     The  horses  are  at  the  mercy  of  the  hunters. 

So  far  as  other  causes  are  concerned,  impure  air  may  cause 
passive  congestion  of  the  lungs — the  imperfectly  aerated  blood 
would  not  nourish  the  tissues  properly.  This  occurs  in  cold  sta- 
bles which  are  shut  up  tight,  and  the  air  becomes  poor  in  quality. 

Morbid  Anatomy. — There  is  no  free  arterial  anastomosis  in 
the  lungs,  and  the  consequences  are  grave  on  account  of  this 
fact.  The  infarction  occurs  in  patches,  and  the  circulation 
there  is  arrested.  If  the  impacted  portion  is  large  enough,  the 
animal  will  die  of  asphyxia,  but  in  any  case  the  impacted  portion 
dies,  and  moist  gangrene  results :  the  animal  dies  in  3  or  4  days. 
In  ca^e  the  congestion  is  not  severe  enough  to  cause  gangrene, 
then  it  probably  will  produce  inflammation  and  end  in  pneu- 
monia. 

These  are  the  four  results  of  pulmonary  congestion : 

1.  Resolution — congestion     products     be- 

come absorbed. 

2.  Moist  gangrene  of  certain  portions. 

3.  Pneumonia. 

4.  Asphyxia. 


72  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Post  Mortem. — The  lesions  depend  upon  the  immediate  cause 
of  death: 

1.  Asphyxia — lungs  black. 
•     2.  Gangrene — lungs  green — mortified. 

3.  Pneumonia    (always  limited  to  certain 

parts )  portions  of  lung  will  be  red  or 
gray. 

4.  In  case  of  impaction  there  will  be  more 

or    less    bloody    froth    in    the    tubes. 
Microscopically  there  is  more  or  less 
extravasation  of  blood  into  the  vesi- 
cles. 
Hypostatic  congestion  of  the  lungs  occurs  sometimes.     The 
lung  is  not    as    severely    congested ;    no    bloody    froth    in    the 
bronchioles ;  normal   crepitation   and  normal   specific  gravity  of 
the  lung;  blood  is  not  forced  in — simply  due  to  gravitation;  no 
exudation,  no  extravasation,  no  hemorrhage  by  rhexis  or  diape- 
desis.     This  kind  of  congestion  plays  a  very  important  part  in 
diagnosis  for  forensic  purposes. 

Treatment. — Give  plenty  of  fresh  air;  keep  him  quiet — do 
not  let  the  horse  be  ridden  or  driven  home ;  take  him  tO'  the  near- 
est stable  and  leave  him  there  until  he  recovers.  Clothe  him 
warmdy.  Give  him  stimulants — alcohol,  strychnine,  atropitie, 
aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  digitalis,  strophanthus. 

Bear  in  mind  that  the  congestion  is  due  toi  diminished  cardiac 
power.  It  used  to  be  practiced  to  bleed  horses  in  this  con- 
dition, but  we  do  not  do  it  any  more.  The  weak  heart  dictates 
the  rationality  of  the  treatment.  Keep  the  animal  quiet  for  sev- 
eral days  and  watch  for  pneumonic  symptoms.  Clothe  warmly, 
bandage  legs,  and  keep  him  on  light  diet.  If  gangrene  develops, 
great  and  sudden  weakness  comes  on,  loss  of  appetite  and  death. 

PNEUMONIA. 

Definition. — Pneumonia  is  an  inflammation  of  the  parenchyma 
of  the  lungs,  i.  e.,  the  air  vesicles.  It  is  divided  into  several  dif- 
ferent classes : 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  72> 

Location. — 

1.  Lobar — when  a  whole  lobe  is  affected. 

2.  Lobular — when  it  is  limited  to  lobules. 
Character — 

L  Fibrinous  or  Croupous. 

2.  Catarrhal — usually     complicated     with 

bronchitis — broncho-pneumonia. 

3.  Caseous  Pneumonia — tuberculosis. 

4.  Interstitial    Pneumonia — when    the    in- 

flammation  is    located   in    interstitial 
tissue. 

We  also  have  (1)  Contagious  and  (2)  Non-Contagious 
(sporadic)  pneumonia.  Pleurisy  is  sometimes  combined  with 
pneumonia  and  we  get  pleuro-pneumonia.  The  horse  practically 
always  has  the  lobar  pneumonia  and  it  is  always  fibrinous.  He 
has  both  the  contagious  and  the  non-contagious  and  has  the  inter- 
stitial as  a  complication  in  glanders.  Occasionally  he  has  the 
catarrhal  form  as  far  as  the  complication  of  bronchitis  with  it  is 
concerned,  constituting  broncho-pneumonia)  but  the  pneumonia 
is  fibrinous. 

The  catarrhal  form  is  seen  most  often  in  children;  fibrinous 
in  horses  and  men.  The  catarrhal  is  usually  the  form  seen  in 
dogs  and  cats.     Caseous  is  seen  in  cattle,  men  and  swine. 

Characteristics  of  cut  surface  of  consoHdated  lung: 

1.  Fibrinous — glistening,  rough,  dry,  i.  e., 

comparatively. 

2.  Catarrhal — smooth  and  moist. 

3.  Caseous — opaque,   cheesy,  smooth  and 

lustreless. 

4.  Interstitial — this  is  more  the  inflamma- 

tion   of    the    interlobular    connective 
tissue,    and    extends    to    the   vesicles 
only  secondarily.     This  is  the  pneu- 
monia   which    complicates    gfenders, 
seen  also  in  coal  miners. 
Fibrinous  pneumonia  is  usually  lobar,  while  the  catarrhal  i-> 
frequently  lobular.     Pneumonia  may  be  single  or  double— right 
or  left  lateral.     It  runs  through  four  well  defined  stages.     As- 


74  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

suming  now  that  preceding  the  pneumonia  there  must  be  active 
congestion  of  the  lungs,  the  various  stages  are : 

1.  Dry  hot  stage  of  inflammation  in  which 

the  function  is  suspended.  Walls  of 
the  vesicles  are  dry,  and  during  respi- 
ration they  crackle  and  the  sound  can 
be  heard  by  auscultation  instead  of 
the  normal  respiratory  murmur. 
Stage  lasts  6-10  hours. 

2.  Stage    of   effusion — the   lung    becomes 

oedematous  and  will  pit  on  pressure. 
In  the  contagious  pleuro-pneumonia 
of  cattle  the  cut  lung  will  drip  with 
serum — never  so  oedematous  in  horses. 
Stage  lasts  3-4  days  and  gradually 
drifts  into  the  3rd  stage. 

3.  Red  hepatization — so-called  because  the 

lung  resembles  liver  in  consistency. 
The  third  stage  is  long  or  short  ac- 
cording to  the  severity  of  it.  Stage 
lasts  1-2  weeks  and  drifts  into  the 
fourth. 

4.  Gray    hepatization — 'this    is    practically 

the    same    as    the    3rd    stage    except 
that    the    tissue    loses    its    color — the 
hematin  fades  out. 
The   time   of  crisis   comes   at   the   height  of  the   3rd   stage. 
This  is  followed  by  a  progressive  softening  which  runs  through 
the  4th.     In  recovery  the  inflammatory  deposits  soften,  liquefy 
and  become  absorbed,  terminating  in  resolution  in  the  large  ma- 
jority  of   horses.     More   horses   recover   from   pneumonia   than 
any  other   species   of  animal.     It  is  marvelous  to  what  extent 
they  recover. 

Pneumonia  may  occur  in  either  one  side  or  the  other,  either 
the  right  or  left  lateral  or  both  lungs,  in  which  case  it  is  double. 
We  find  by  experience  that  it  occurs  most  often  on  the  right 
side.  Right  lateral  pneumonia  is  more  common  than  left  lateral 
or  double.     I  think  that  in  this  respect  it  will  correspond  to  the 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  75 

observations  in  the  human  subject.     A  German  authority  gives 

the  following  statistics  of  6666  cases  of  pneumonia  in  the  human : 

53.70  per   cent  were   right  lateral. 

38.23  per  cent    were    left    lateral. 

8.07  per  cent  were  double. 

These  will  run  about  the  same  in  the  horse. 

Semeiology. — First  Stage — Breathing  is  accelerated,  nostrils 
dilated  slightly,  temperature  probably  106,  pulse  50,  full,  round 
and  strong.  Auscultation  reveals  a  faint  crackling  sound  in  the 
lungs ;  respiration  probably  20. 

Second  stage — By  auscultation  you  hear  some  crackling  and 
a  good  deal  of  dullness ;  respiration  a  little  faster,  probably  24 ; 
nostrils  a  little  more  dilated ;  visible  mucous  membranes  highly 
injected  and  about  the  3rd  day  they  begin  to  become  icteric  (yel- 
low). The  secretions  become  altered,  namely,  the  urine  gets 
scanty  and  high  colored ;  feces  are  scanty ;  what  pellets  are 
passed  are  coated  with  slime;  thirst  increases;  expired  air  hot: 
tubular  breathing  increased.  In  normal  respiration  you  do  not 
hear  any  tubular  breathing;  the  air  passes  in  and  out  without 
any  perceptible  sound.  But  in  case  of  rapid  breathing,  as  the 
vesicles  begin  to  fill,  we  can  hear  the  air  rushing  in  and  out 
through  the  bronchioles.  This  is  called  "tubular  breathing."  In 
normal  breathing  the  only  sound  we  hear  is  the  quiet  respiratory 
murmur. 

The  symptoms  run  along  from  day  to  day  gradually  grow- 
ing worse:  temperature  always  about  106;  pulse  getting  more 
rapid,— 3rd  day  about  60;  4th,  64;  5th,  70;  6th,  75;  and  7th,  80. 
The  strength  of  the  pulse  will  depend  upon  the  extent  of  the 
lungs  involved.  If  both  lungs  are  involved,  the  case  is  usually 
fatal.  A  case  of  double  pneumonia  that  is  fatal  generally  dies  on 
the  5th  day.  The  animal  may  live  to  the  6th,  and  if  he  lives  to 
the  7th,  there  is  hope  that  the  crisis  will  be  passed  with  safety 
and  he  will  recover. 

Suppose  that  a  fatal  case  with  extensive  consolidation  ha^ 
been  running  for  5  days :  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  day  you  find 
the  nostrils  intensely  dilated,  respirations  probably  40-50  per 
minute,  and  there  is  an  impulse  given  to  the  body  by  the  respira- 
tion.     You  will   detect  that  impulse  by  placing  your  hand  on 


76  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

the  hip  of  the  animal.  This  impulse  is  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  dyspnoea  present.  This  is  a  valuable  point  in  making 
your  prognosis.  In  other  words,  the  greater  the  impulse,  the 
greater  the  labor  in  breathing  with  disastrous  consequences. 

The  mucous  membranes  begin  to  get  cyanotic  by  about  the 
end  of  the  3rd  day.  This  increases  until  time  of  death,  when 
they  are  livid  with  an  orange  tinge.  As  death  approaches,  the 
horse  sweats  in  patches,  his  extremities  get  cold,  and  exhaustion 
develops  rapidly.  He  persistently  stands  all  through  the  course 
of  the  disease  until  he  drops  and  dies  from  asphyxia. 

After  the  lungs  have  become  solid,  under  percussion  you  get 
a  solid  dense  sound, — no  sound  except  the  tubular  breathing. 
Note  particularly  that  there  is  a  difference  between  pneumonia 
and  hydrothorax.  In  pneumonia  you  hear  the  tubular  breathing 
to  the  very  bottom ;  in  hydrothorax  you  hear  no  sound  below  the 
water  line.  This  tubular  breathing  is  a  very  important  symptom 
in  pneumonia,  in  which  it  is  a  diagnostic  symptom.  No  respir- 
ator}^ murmur  can  be  heard  for  the  air  vesicles  are  full.  In 
such  a  condition  the  expired  air  is  usually  cold,  for  it  does  not 
stay  in  the  lungs  long  enough  to  get  warmed  up. 

Etiology. — A  specific  pneumococcus  causes  an  ordinary  case 
in  croupous  pneumonia.  In  other  cases  a  bacillus  is  found,  which 
some  bacteriologists  consider  pathogenic  for  this  disease.  But 
these  germs  are  usually  found  in  the  mouth  of  the  healthy  ani- 
mal so  that  it  yields  to  the  action  of  germs  which  are  constantly 
present  in  his  mouth. 

A  lowered  resistence  on  the  part  of  the  animal  will  allow  the 
bacteria  to  grow  and  multiply.  Those  exciting  causes  are  as 
follows : 

1.  Exposure  to  cold  and  wet.     If  the  cold 

is  damp,  this  aggravates  the  case. 

2.  Insufficient  ventilation. 

3.  Defective  cardiac  power  as  seen  in  pas- 

sive congestion  of  the  lungs. 

4.  Inhalation    of    smoke   and    irrespirable 

gases. 

5.  Foreign   bodies   taken   in   through   the 

trachea  and  bronchi. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  77 

6.  Gastric  flatulence  and  eructations. 

7.  Faulty  mechanism  of  deglutition, — epi- 

glottis does  not  close  over  the  rima 
glottis  properly,  and  eructated  matter 
from  the  stomach  falls  into  the 
larynx.  This  occurs  in  severe  nervous 
prostration  in  gastric  flatulence. 

8.  Traumatisms. 

9.  Broken  rib — end  jammed  into  the  lung. 
10.  Old  age — senile  pneumonia. 

Pneumonia  is  a  peculiar  disease  especially  as  it  is  seen  in 
old  age.  In  this  condition  probably  the  nervous  system  is  worn 
out,  and  we  get  a  weak  heart — diminished  cardiac  power,  there- 
fore, being  the  cause  of  the  congestion  and  the  pneumonia. 

Contagious  Pneumonia. — We  do  not  know  much  about  its 
cause.  Horses  affected  with  influenza,  known  as  ''shipping  fe- 
ver," "sales  stable  fever,"  etc.,  have  this  pneumonia.  This  form 
of  pneumonia  arising  as  an  incidental  feature  of  influenza  is  spe- 
cific— it  is  contagious.  Upon  physical  examination  we  find  no 
difference  from  the  ordinary  form  of  pneumonia,  but  the  his- 
tory is  different.  I  consider  that  this  pneumonia  is  a  local  man- 
ifestation of  a  constitutional  disease. 

Symptoms. — There  are  two  marked  symptoms  which  occur 
in  the  contagious  penumonia : 

1.  Great  nervous  prostration. 

2.  Marked  icterus. 

These  symptoms  are  not  so  marked  in  sporadic  pneumonia. 
In  the  contagious  the  prostrated  nerves  fail  to  act  in  the  liver  and 
we  get  biliary  congestion,  the  bile  becomes  absorbed  and  the 
mucous  membranes  become  yellow.  It  takes  three  or  four  days 
for  this  symptom  to  appear. 

Interstitial  Pneumonia  of  Glanders. — This  is  an  incidenial  lo- 
calization of  the  virus  of  the  disease.  It  attacks  the  interstitial 
tissue  primarily,  and  extends  to  the  parenchymatous  tissue  sec- 
ondarily. 

Contagious  Pleuro-pneumonia  of  Cattle.  —  This  is  specific, 
usually  lobular,  but  in  severe  cases  may  be  lobar.  In  all  cases 
pneumonia  in  the  horse  produces  a  localization  of  the  virus.   It  is 


7S  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

fibrinous.  When  localized,  it  becomes  encapsulated,  indicating 
that  the  penumonia  is  sharply  circumscribed.  Its  definite  local- 
ization is  a  marked  characteristic  of  the  disease.  This  pneu- 
monia becomes  chronic;  it  never  terminates  by  resolution.  In 
'87-'88  two-thirds  of  the  Cook  County  cattle  died  from  con- 
tagious pleuro-pneumonia. 

Symptomatology. — Conta,gious  pneumonia  in  the  horse  is 
usually  preceded  by  a  rigor.  There  is  high  fever  on  the  first  day ; 
temperature  106;  pulse  full,  round,  strong  and  about  50;  fine 
crackling  sounds  in  the  lungs ;  breathing  about  22.  The  second 
day  the  temperature  is  still  106;  respirations  about  26;  not  so 
much  crackling ;  lessened  respiratory  murmur ;  increased  tubular 
sounds ;  part  is  dull  under  percussion ;  expired  air  is  hot ;  urine 
is  scanty  and  high-colored ;  feces  scanty ;  usually  complete  anor- 
exia. On  the  third  day  the  temperature  is  still  the  same — 106 ; 
pulse  66 ;  respirations  30 ;  mucous  membranes  yellowish ;  nostrils 
dilated ;  considerable  impulse  to  the  body  by  respiration ;  thirst 
increased ;  elbows  turned  out ;  pellets  of  feces  coated  with  slime : 
by  auscultation  the  lung  substance  is  dull,  by  percussion  less 
resonance.  The  fourth  day  (now  in  the  third  stage),  tem- 
perature 106.5;  mucous  membranes  cyanotic;  body  impulse  in- 
creased; tubular  breathing  only  (can  be  heard  to  the  very  bot- 
tom). Fifth  day — temperature  lowered,  104.5;  pulse  80;  res- 
pirations 30 ;  heaving  of  the  flanks ;  increased  cyanosis ;  extrem- 
ities cold;  rusty  discharge  from  the  nose  (not  always  present); 
sometimes  actual  hemoptysis ;  ears  drooped ;  haggard  counte- 
nance;  expired  air  cold;  pulse  growing  imperceptible.  The  an- 
imal dies  usually  on  the  5th  day.  But  if  he  recovers,  the  crisis 
is  reached  on  the  7th  day.  As  the  lung  clears  up  you  will  hear 
a  little  respiratory  murmur  here  and  there. 

Most  horses  recover  quickly  from  pneumonia,  but  there  will 
be  an  occasional  one  that  will  linger  along  for  4-6  months  and 
than  die.  In  such  a  case  the  consolidation  was  excessively  hard, 
so  that  when  it  ran  into  the  stage  of  gray  hepatization,  instead 
of  resolution,  the  material  broke  down  and  formed  abscesses. 
The  products  become  absorbed  and  the  horse  dies  from  septi- 
caemia. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  79 

Treatment. — There  is  no  specific  treatment  for  pneumonia. 
Inasmuch  as  the  pneiimococcus  is  recognized  as  a  specific  cause, 
there  will  probably  sometimes  be  found  a  serum  which  will  coun- 
teract the  disease.  Now  we  must  treat  the  symptoms.  With 
the  pathology  in  mind  we  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  must 
stimulate  the  heart.  A  strong  heart  tends  to  prevent  consolida- 
tion ;  a  weak  heart  encourages  it.  Therefore  if  you  let  the  heart 
get  weak,  the  horse  will  run  down  rapidly. 

Strychnine  comes  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  stimulants.  You 
cannot  treat  penumonia  successfully  without  it.  I  have  not 
much  use  for  digitalis — we  do  not  get  satisfactory  results  from 
using  it  in  treating  the  horse.  It  is  all  right  in  the  disease  of  the 
dog  and  man.  As  regards  alcohol  we  get  good  results  from  its 
use. 

Let  us  suppose  a  case  in  the  first  stage,  the  short  stage.  Heroic 
treatment  may  abort  the  disease.  I  would  recommend  either  lib- 
eral blood-letting  or  a  fever  mixture  such  as  acetanilid,  aconite, 
belladonna  and  spirits  of  nitrous  ether.  The  acetanilid  will  act 
the  same  as  blood-letting,  i.  e.,  lower  the  temperature.  Apply 
stimulants  externally,  say  a  liniment.  The  ammoniacal  liniment 
is  too  strong  to  spread  over  the  broad  side  of  a  horse ;  the  or- 
dinary white  liniment  which  we  use  as  a  sprain  liniment  is  good 
here.  Apply  a  pint  over  the  surface  and  then  cover  it  immedi- 
ately. This  warms  the  animal  and  seems  to  act  as  a  special 
stimulant  to  the  vaso-motor  system.  Bandage  the  animal's  legs, 
put  him  ofiF  by  himself  where  he  will  not  have  to  breathe  the  air 
of  other  animals, — where  the  air  is  not  impoverished  by  the 
fumes  of  urine  and  feces. 

With  this  treatment  for  24  hours,  if  you  have  been  successful 
in  aborting  the  disease,  the  temperature  will  have  come  down 
to  normal,  the  pulse  50,  though  soft  and  perhaps  a  little  weak. 

If  the  case  comes  to  you  in  the  second  stage,  pulse  60-70, 
mucous  membranes  yellow,  etc.,  the  case  is  serious.  Pulse  at 
60  is  the  danger  point — you  cannot  abort  the  disease.  With  a 
view  to  eliminating  the  consolidation,  carry  the  horse  to  the  crisis. 
Cut  out  the  aconite  on  the  second  day  and  potash  on  the  third. 
Give  stimulants. 


80  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

The  following  is  a  prescription  for  a  serious  case  in  the  sec- 
ond stage: 

Quinine    Sulphate 1  ounce 

Spts.    Yini    Kect 8  ounces 

Glycerin    6  ounces 

n.  Ex.  Nucis  Vom 2  ounces 

Fl.    Ex.    Gent.    Ed 2  ounces 

Aqua    qs   ad 1  quart 

M.  Sig. — Give   2  ounces   every   2   hours     Also  give 

a    dram    of    acetanilid    every  2  hours,    until    the 

temperature  is  lowered. 

If  the  horse  weighs  1800  lbs.  increase  the  dose.  Repeat  the 
stimulating  liniment  night  and  morning  until  he  begins  to  get  a 
little  sore.  Push  this  mixture  until  you  get  the  heart  to  pound- 
ing like  a  hammer. 

External  treatment  in  the  form  of  ice  packs  over  the  lungs 
is  good  for  pneumonia.  A  linseed  poultice  with  mustard  mixed 
in  is  preferred  by  some.  Woolen  blankets  wet  with  cold  water 
can  be  applied  to  the  chest  and  covered  with  warm  dry  blankets. 
This  abstracts  heat  and  lowers  the  temperature,  alleviating  the 
congestion. 

In  regard  to  hygiene  avoid  drafts,  give  good  bedding,  keep 
cold  water  before  the  animal  and  change  often.  In  lieu  of  good 
grass,  give  scalded  oats  and  bran  with  a  pinch  of  salt.  Give 
the  horse  anything  that  he  will  eat  so  as  to  keep  up  his  appetite. 
Sometimes  a  horse  will  eat  corn  off  the  cob  when  he  will  not  eat 
anything  else.  Keep  the  bowels  open, — soap  and  water  enema 
once  or  twice  a  day  if  necessary.  Keep  the  temperature  at 
102-4,  l)ut  the  main  thing  is  the  pulse.  Keep  it  at  60  and  below 
and  the  horse  is  safe.  Watch  the  action  of  the  kidneys ;  do  not 
let  the  diuresis  go  too  far.  When  sufficient,  drop  out  the  potash, 
the  alcohol  will  maintain  sufficient  diuresis  through  the  rest  of 
the  course.  If  necessary  give  a  little  Tr.  Iron  and  lessen  the  al- 
cohol. Bear  in  mind  that  strychnine  is  the  sheet  anchor  and 
hygiene  comes  next. 

If  your  case  is  one  of  broncho-pneumonia,  add  chloride  of 
ammonia  to  the  fever  mixture.  This  is  a  special  stimulant  for 
bronchial  diseases. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  81 

PLEURISY. 

Definition. — Pleurisy  is  an  inflammation  of  the  pleura,  a 
serous  covering  to  the  inside  of  the  chest  cavity  (parietal)  and 
to  the  outside  of  the  lung  (pulmonary).  Between  the  two  sides 
is  a  partition  called  the  mediastinum.  In  the  horse  cribriform 
openings  are  in  it  making  a  communication  between  the  right  and 
left  pleural  cavities.  The  pleura  normally  secretes  serum, 
which,  however,  is  different  from  the  serum  of  inflammation. 

In  the  horse  pleurisy  frequently  exists  as  a  separate  and  un- 
complicated disease,  but  in  man  and  cattle,  it  often  exists  in 
combination  with  pnemonia.  Pleurisy  may  affect  either  side 
fright  or  left  lateral)  and  it  may  be  on  both  sides  (general).  It 
may  originate  on  either  the  costal  or  pulmonary  pleura  and  ex- 
tend to  the  other  parts  by  contiguity.  In  most  cases  in  the 
horse  the  costal  pleura  is  the  one  most  usually  affected. 

Etiology.— ThevQ  are  several  causes  which  come  into  play: 

1.  Extension     of     inflammation     to     the 

pleura  from  contiguous  tissues. 

2.  Direct  irritation    from  local  injury  or 

from  adventitious  growths. 

3.  Exposure  to  cold  and  dampness. 

4.  Blood      contamination.       Pleurisy      in 

this  case  is  the  localization  of  a  spe- 
cific disease,  e.  g.,  the  contagious 
pleuro-pneumonia  of  cattle.  In  horses 
we  find  an  equally  typical  case  in 
this  localization  of  influenza. 
Extension.— The  pulmonary  pleura  can  easily  be  affected  by 
an  inflammation  in  the  adjacent  lung  tissue,  such  a?  we  find  in 

pneumonia. 

Direct  Irritation. —Suppose  a  broken  rib  juts  into  the  costal 
pleura,  though  not  puncturing  it.  This  irritation  will  set  up  an 
inflammation.  A  shaft  thrust  into  the  chest  of  a  horse  will 
always  cause  pleurisy;  grapy  tumors  so  common  in  cattle  and 

hogs  will  cause  it. 

Exposure.— ^leteovologkaX  conditions  will  cause  pleurisy.     If 


82  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

an  animal  has  a  long  wet  coat  and  stands  for  some  time,  he  may 
come  down  with  an  attack  of  pleurisy  in  a  few  hours. 

Blood  Contamination. — The  so-called  ''sale  stable  fever"  or 
influenza,  may  cause  pleurisy,  but  it  is  general  while  that  due 
to  the  other  three  causes  is  localized. 

Pleurisy  may  develop  from  intrinsic  conditions  within  the 
body,  as  from  anaemia  or  pyaemia.  Hereditary  conditions,  acute 
rheumatism  or  typhoid  fever  may  cause  it.  It  may  be  incidental 
to  old  age.  In  these  latter  conditions  the  pleurisy  develops  as  a 
complication. 

Course. — Pleurisy  runs  through  four  well-defined  stages: 

1.  Stage  of  active  congestion. 

2.  Dry  hot  stage  of  inflammation   (first) 

3.  Oedematous     stage     of     inflammation 

(second). 

4.  Absorption   (if  horse  does  not  die). 

Special  Pathology. — In  the  fi'rst  stage  of  pleurisy,  the  pleura 
becomes  congested  in  streaks,  spots  or  patches.  These  by  ex- 
tension become  confluent  until  the  whole  pleural  surface  is  bright 
red.  This  condition  is  accompanied  by  definite  symptoms  on  the 
part  of  the  animal.  These  symptoms  are  very  marked  and  they 
do  not  occur  in  the  congestive  stage  of  any  other  inflammation. 
The  second  stage  of  pleurisy  (the  first  or  dry  hot  stage  of  in- 
flammation) is  characterized  by  a  dry  hot  pleural  membrane 
whose  function  is  suspended.  The  costal  and  pulmonary  pleura 
are  both  dry  rubbing  on  each  other,  and  by  auscultation  friction 
sounds  can  be  detected.  The  second  stage  is  short,  6-8  hours. 
The  third  stage  is  the  second  or  oedematous  one  of  inflammation 
and  is  divided  into  two  parts:  A  plastic  exudation  upon  the 
pleural  surface  (the  pleura  is  so  dense  that  it  cannot  easily  be- 
come infiltrated), — a  coagulated  mass  forming  a  false  mem- 
brane. In  this  first  part  of  the  third  stage  pleurisy  may  termi- 
nate by  resolution,  a  sort  of  fatty  degeneration  of  the  false  mem- 
brane; or  if  both  pleurae  are  involved,  they  may  adhere  and 
grow  together,  forming  a  perfect  adhesion,  common  in  cattle  and 
in  people,  but  not  often  in  horses.  Recovery  may  take  place 
after  adhesions  have  formed,  but  the  adhesions  remain  perma- 
nent.    The  second  half  of  the  third  stage  is  characterized  by  an 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  83 

effusion  into  the  pleural  cavity,  i.  e.,  providing  adhesions  do  not 
form.  This  effusion  is  called  hydrothorax — water  in  the  chest. 
The  lungs  float  up  until  the  animal  cannot  breathe  and  he  dies 
from  asphyxia.  If  the  extent  of  oedematous  pleura  is  not  too 
big,  and  the  inflammation  subsides  before  the  chest  is  more  than 
one-third  full,  absorption  will  take  place  and  the  animal  will  re- 
cover. 

The  special  pathology  of  pleurisy  is  just  as  typical  as  in  any 
other  inflammation.  All  fatal  cases  of  pleurisy  die  in  the  second 
half  of  the  third  stage.  If  the  animal  goes  on  to  the  fourth 
stage,  the  stage  of  absorption,  he  recovers. 

Hydrothorax  is  dangerous  or  not  according  to  the  amount 
of  serum  in  the  chest.  Its  quantity  depends  upon  the  extent  of 
the  inflammation  and  its  severity.  In  most  cases  the  liquid  in 
the  cavity  is  serum,  but  it  may  be  purulent  and  the  condition 
is  called  euipyema.  Empyema  is  much  more  serious  than  hydro- 
thorax. 

Symptomatology. — Pleurisy  is  ushered  in  with  rigor  which 
is  more  or  less  severe.  As  a  rule  it  is  less  severe  than  the  chill 
of  bronchitis  or  pneumonia.  The  coat  of  the  animal  is  staring 
and  he  has  a  rise  of  temperature.  The  congestion  of  the  first 
stage  is  painful ;  the  horse  is  restless,  he  paws,  gets  up  and  down, 
and  sweats.  These  symptoms  are  often  mistaken  for  those  of 
colic.  This  m»istake  does  no  harm  except  that  it  delays  the 
proper  treatment.  This  stage  lasts  a  few  hours  when  the  horse 
becomes  more  quiet,  he  is  disinclined  to  move  and  breathes  with 
care.  His  pulse  is  increased  and  begins  to  get  hard ;  ribs  are 
fixed ;  abdominal  muscles  contracted,  producing  a  line  to  the 
point  "f  the  elbow.  This  depression  is  called  the  pleuritic  line, 
which  as  a  rule  we  do  not  get  in  any  other  disease. 

As  further  symptoms  w^e  find  the  elbows  turned  out;  ears 
drooping  and  cold ;  legs  cold  and  the  expired  air  cold.  The  horse 
breathes  as  little  as  he  can  because  it  is  painful,  and  the  air  does 
not  reach  the  vesicles.  Auscultation  reveals  friction  sounds  over 
the  affected  part,  like  two  dry  surfaces  rubbing  together.  If  you 
force  the  fingers  between  the  ribs,  it  will  cause  pain  and  the 
horse  will  flinch  and  grunt.  If  you  move  him  he  will  grunt.  This 
grunt  in  acute  diseases  always  indicates  pleurisy  in  the  horse; 


84  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

cattle,  dogs  and  men  grunt  in  other  conditions.  Also  in  chronic 
respiratory  diseases  in  the  horse  we  may  have  a  grunt.  When 
pleurisy  is  complicated  with  other  diseases  we  can  always  detect 
it  by  the  grunt. 

The  second  stage  of  pleurisy  runs  along  for  24  hours  and 
we  fi^nd  the  pulse  increased  in  frequency  and  hardness.  In  the 
first  half  of  the  third  stage  the  horse  persistently  stands;  pleuritic 
Hne  is  well  marked ;  breathing  increased  to  30 ;  temperature  104 ; 
urine  scanty  and  high-colored ;  bowels  inactive ;  friction  sounds 
can  still  be  heard  but  less  on  account  of  the  plastic  exudate, 
which  lessens  the  pain  as  well.  Up  to  this  time  the  animal  has 
eaten  practically  nothing,  but  now  he  begins  to  eat  because  the 
pain  is  diminished.  The  inflammation  may  subside  right  here 
and  the  horse  go  on  to  rapid  recovery — in  4-5  days.  But  if  the 
case  runs  through  the  third  stage,  then  we  get  an  effusion  of  se- 
rum into  the  thorax.  The  pain  grows  less  and  the  animal  will 
probably  lie  down  and  eat  a  little.  The  owner  thinks  that  the 
horse  is  getting  better,  but  you  can  see  that  the  eyes  are  brighter 
and  his  nostrils  dilated,  and  the  flanks  begin  to  heave.  The 
pleuritic  line  is  lessened,  and  auscultation  reveals  increased 
respiratory  sounds  above  the  water  line,  and  a  total  absence  of 
sound  below.  The  lung  floats  up  on  the  surface  of  the  water 
and  works  harder  than  usual.  As  the  serum  in  the  chest  in- 
creases, and  as  the  case  has  been  running  3  or  4  days,  oedema 
can  be  noticed  on  the  legs  as  high  up  as  the  elbow.  Oedematous 
thickening  in  the  lower  part  of  the  chest  between  the  skin  and 
the  ribs  can  be  detected.  This  is  a  very  valuable  corroborative 
symptom.  If  the  pleurisy  is  complicated  with  pneumonia,  it  is 
not  easy  to  make  a  diagnosis,  for  tubular  breathing  can  be  heard. 
If  the  lungs  are  consolidated,  they  cannot  float  on  the  surface  of 
the  water  and  it  is  difficult  to  diagnose  the  condition. 

Some  horses  seem  to  be  stronger  than  others  and  the  oedema 
does  not  take  place,  but  as  a  rule  some  is  present.  Also  we  get 
oedema  as  the  result  of  local  treatment  and  this  must  be  differ- 
entiated from  the  pathological  lesion. 

As  the  thoracic  cavity  of  the  animal  fills  up  with  water,  no- 
tice that  the  nostrils  are  dilated,  that  the  eyes  bulge;  the  back 
arched;  horse  breathes  more  slowly;  the  expired  air  is  cold  in 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  85 

most  cases;  with  the  ear  at  the  nostrils  a  metalhc  iinkle  can  be 
heard,  although  this  tinkle  is  not  diagnostic.  But  it  is  not  heard 
in  pneumonia  nor  in  bronchitis.  It  is  a  mucous  rattle  in  the 
bronchi,  and  is  very  pronounced. 

As  the  dyspnoea  increases  the  mucous  membranes  get  darker 
— become  cyanotic.     The  horse  dies  from  asphyxia. 

Hydrothorax  may  be  single  or  double  the  same  as  pleurisy. 
In  the  mediastinum  are  cribiform  openings  through  which  the 
fluid  can  pass  from  one  side  to  the  other.  In  many  cases  these 
openings  become  plugged  up.  In  such  a  case  the  hydrothorax 
is  confined  to  one  side.  If  the  water  does  not  fill  the  chest  more 
than  one-third  full,  the  fluid  can  become  absorbed  and  the  animal 
recover.  If  the  inflammation  subsides  during  the  first  half  of 
the  third  stage  the  horse  makes  a  rapid  and  complete  recovery, 
but  if  the  plastic  exudate  instead  of  softening  forms  adhesions, 
the  lungs  grow  to  the  ribs. 

Symptoms  of  Pleural  Adhesions. — After  a  horse  has  made  an 
apparently  good  recovery  and  is  put  to  work  again,  say  he  goes 
out  driving,  when  he  feels  the  sudden  pain,  stops,  puts  his  nose 
to  one  side — and  forgets  all  else.  He  may  turn  into  the  ditch, 
and  then  go  on.  This  act  is  due  to  a  stitch  in  his  side,  a  dis- 
turbance of  the  circulation  around  the  adhesion,  and  it  produces 
sharp,  lancinating  pain.  The  animal  does  this  once  and  then 
again.     He  is  a  good  horse  to  get  rid  of. 

Treatment  of  Pleurisy.— U  the  doctor  is  called  during  the 
chill,  he  must  treat  that  symptom  until  he  can  make  a  diagnosis 
as  to  whether  the  case  is  one  of  pneumonia,  pleurisy,  etc.  Sup- 
pose now  you  have  a  carriage  horse  which  has  had  to  stand  some 
time  after  a  long  drive  and  upon  returning  home  and  going  to 
the  stable  he  soon  begins  to  hang  his  head,  paws  around,  gets 
up  and  down,  etc.  The  coachman  gives  him  colic  medicine  but 
it  does  no  good.  Upon  observing  the  respirations,  you  see  that 
they  are  made  with  care ;  the  animal  has  a  temperature  of  105-6 ; 
his  pulse  is  50.  He  has  pleurisy.  Adopt  heroic  measures  to 
abort  the  trouble ;  and  pleurisy  is  easily  aborted.  Put  the  horse 
on  acetanilid  and  a  fever  mixture  containing  aconite.  Apply 
local  stimulants — the  ;ammoniacal  Hniment,  the  white  sprain 
liniment,  or  a  sinapism.     The  value  of  the  external  stimulation 


86  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

cannot  be  over  estimated — it's  ability  to  abort  disease.  The 
liniment  must  be  prompt  in  its  action.  By  next  morning  the 
animal  will  be  all  right  if  you  have  aborted  the  case,  which  can 
be  done  99  times  out  of  a  hundred. 

If  you  get  a  case  in  the  second  or  third  stage,  or  if  your 
first  case  does  not  recover,  apply  a  counter-irritant  night  and 
morning.  Keep  up  the  fever  mixture  with  aconite  to  the  middle 
of  the  third  stage.  Repeat  the  acetanilid  every  four  hours  in 
moderate  doses.  Keep  the  temperature  around  102  if  possible, 
but  do  not  dose  too  much  with  acetanilid.  Keep  the  animal 
warm,  feed  light,  and  90  per  cent  of  the  cases  will  yield  to  this 
treatment,  and  recover  by  resolution  in  the  first  half  of  the  third 
stage.     The  other  per  cent  will  go  on  to  hydrothorax. 

In  case  of  generalized  pleurisy  ''sale  stable  fever,"  you  may 
get  a  horse  with  hydrothorax  after  a  three  days'  sickness,  while 
it  ordinarily  takes  10-20  days  for  this  condition  to  develop. 
Pleurisy  runs  into  the  third  stage  very  rapidly,  but  the  chest  does 
not  fill  up  with  w^ater  so  quickly.  Do  not  carry  the  stimulation 
so  far  as  to  blemish  the  side  of  the  horse,  but  if  you  do  make 
this  blunder,  you  can  tell  the  owner  that  it  is  better  to  have  a  scar 
on  the  side  than  to  have  a  dead  horse.  You  can  tell  a  blister 
by  pinching  the  skin.  If  it  wrinkles,  a  blister  is  there.  Open 
it  and  liberate  any  pus  that  is  present,  for  blemishing  is  always 
brought  about  by  leaving  the  pus  and  serum  there. 

While  the  sides  of  the  animal  are  soiled  with  liniment,  put 
a  cloth  over  your  face  when  you  wish  to  auscultate. 

Suppose  now  that  you  have  a  case  of  hydrothorax.  Discon- 
tinue the  counter  irritant  and  the  aconite.  Give  stimulants — 
strychnine,  alcohol,  etc.,  alternating  with  tincture  of  iron.  The 
temperature  in  hydrothorax  stays  about  104.  If  the  chest  fills 
more  than  one-third  full  of  water  you  must  tap  it.  This  opera- 
tion is  called  "paracentesis  thoracis." 

With  trocar  and  canula  evacuate  the  serum.  Some  prefer  to 
aspirate  the  serum,  some  draw  it  off  with  a  rubber  tube,  empty- 
ing the  fluid  under  water.  Some  think  that  it  is  not  safe  to 
draw  off  the  water  rapidly  but  this  is  a  fallacy.  As  a  conse- 
quence none  of  the  trocars  are  big  enough.  This  one  that  I  use 
is  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter  and  has  a  short  point. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  87 

which  is  vakiable  in  a  case  of  pleuro-pneumonia.  The  short 
point  will  not  be  so  liable  to  puncture  a  solid  lung  (one  such  as 
is  characteristic  of  pneumonia).  If  the  lung  is  not  involved,  it 
will  be  floated  so  high  in  the  thoracic  cavity  that  it  will  be  out 
of  the  way  of  the  trocar.  In  the  majority  of  cases  tap  on  the 
right  side  between  the  eighth  and  ninth  ribs.  Give  the  animal 
one-half  pint  of  whiskey  twenty  minutes  before  beginning  to 
operate.  This  will  prevent  syncope.  Never  neglect  this  stimu- 
lant. 

Push  the  fingers  down  deep  between  the  eighth  and  ninth  ribs 
and  in  the  pit  that  forms  insert  the  scalpel,  making  an  incision 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long.  After  cutting  through  the  skin, 
then  go  through  the  chest  wall — go  in  slow.  The  incision  should 
be  made  close  to  the  anterior  border  of  the  rib.  Insert  the  trocar 
and  cannula  and  withdraw  the  trocar  and  the  water  begins  to 
flow  out.  While  it  is  running,  if  the  horse  shows  any  resistance, 
tighten  the  twitch  on  his  nose — this  is  all  the  restraint  that  is 
necessary.  If  the  operation  is  done  between  the  seventh  and 
eighth  ribs,  the  elbow  is  apt  to  interfere,  if  the  animal  is  in  pain 
and  restless.  Remove  the  twitch  as  soon  as  the  flow  is  estab- 
lished. If  there  is  any  coagulum  in  the  fluid,  keep  the  cannula 
pervious  with  a  small  blunt  instrument.  The  horse  will  improve 
at  once  with  this  operation. 

If  the  cribriform  openings  of  the  mediastinum  are  plugged, 
you  may  have  to  tap  the  other  side.  Wait  a  day  or  two  before 
performing  a  second  operation.  Do  up  the  wound  with  a  dry 
dressing  and  keep  on  for  a  few  days. 

In  some  cases  you  may  have  to  tap  again,  but  do  not  operate 
in  the  same  place;  make  a  fresh  opening.  Never  open  up  the 
old  sore. 

Prognosis. — This  is  according  to  the  color  of  the  serum;  if 
amber  colored,  it  is  favorable;  if  red,  unfavorable. 

In  case  of  a  purulent  liquid,  clean  out  the  chest  cavity  with 
2-3  gallons  of  tincture  of  iodine — 1  per  cent  solution.  Attach  a 
rubber  hose  to  the  cannula,  and  run  the  solution  (temperature 
102)  into  the  chest  from  a  fountain  syringe.  Hold  there  for 
10-15  minutes  and  then  let  it  run  out  again.     In  the  human  two 


88  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

or  three  openings  are  made  and  the  cavity  is  flushed  out  with  a 
sokition  of  bichloride  of  mercury. 

Pneumothorax. — In  case  of  puncture  or  wounding  of  the 
thoracic  wall,  air  may  get  into  the  chest.  This  is  dangerous  and 
will  kill  the  animal  if  the  pressure  is  sufficient  to  interfere  with 
the  action  of  the  lungs.  In  such  a  case  stop  up  the  opening  as 
quickly  as  possible. 


RECORD  OF  A  CASE  OF  PNEUMONIA. 

HISTORY.— Case  of  a  bay  horse,  8  years  old.  He  was 
taken  sick  one  forenoon  while  standing  in  the  railroad  yard 
waiting  for  the  milk  train  to  come  in.  He  came  down  with  a 
chill  soon  after  reaching  home.  Dr.  Baker  was  called  to  see 
him  the  next  day  (13th). 

The  following  is  the  record  of  his  pulse,  temperature  and  res- 
piration for  the  two  weeks  of  his  sickness: 


Date.                         Temp.  Pulse.  Resp. 

13  End  of  1st  stage  104.8  60  24 

14  106.2  66  30 

15  2nd  and  3rd       105.4  72  32 

16  stages              105.6  70  36  Crisis 

17  4th  stage  begins     104.4  68  48  passed. 

18  Gray  hepatization  102.6  50     heart   be-      32 

19  gins   to   pound32 

20  102.8  56                         S2 

21  103.5  58  20  Nervous 

22  102  50  32      system 

23  101.6  47  33      only  mod- 

24  102.2  48  30      erately 

25  101.6  48  22     excited 

100  37 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  89 

TREATMENT.— The  following  was  the  dosage: 

Quinine   ^y  ounce 

Nux  Worn 1  ounce 

Fl.  Ex.  Gent 1  ounce 

Glycerine    ." 3  ounces 

Alcohol 4  ounces 

Aqua  qs  ad 1  pint 

M.  Sig. — One   dose,  2  ounces  every  2  hours.     Also 
give  1  dram  of  acetanilid  every  4  Lours. 

On  the  23rd  day  the  quinine  was  stopped  and  ammonium  car- 
bonate (1-2  dram)  was  substituted  for  it  in  the  mixture,  the 
alcohol  being  lessened  to  3  ounces.  The  acetanilid  was  discon- 
tinued after  the  fifth  day. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  SYSTEM. 

ANATOMY  AND  PHYSIOLOGY. 

(Horse.) 

The  lips  are  the  prehensile  organs,  the  incisor  teeth  are  the 
nippers.  The  food  passes  back  on  the  tongue,  and  while  the  ani- 
mal is  chewing,  the  salivary  glands  are  stimulated  to  secrete 
enormous  quantities  of  saliva,  which  is  poured  out  partly  to 
moisten  the  food  and  partly  to  digest  it.  Its  digestive  action  is 
amylol>1;ic,  i.  e.,  digests  starch.  It  takes  about  15  minutes  for 
the  saliva  to  act.  The  food  is  then  formed  into  a  bolus,  which 
passes  down  the  oesophagus  to  the  stomach. 

In  all  monogastric  animals  the  stomach  is  in  a  collapsed  con- 
dition before  eating  begins ;  in  ruminants  some  food  is  always 
present  in  the  stomach.  In  monogastrics  the  stomach  is  no 
larger  than  the  amount  of  food  put  into  it.  After  the  food  en- 
ters the  stomach,  the  starch  digestion  goes  on  for  a  little  time, 
and  some  lactic  acid  is  formed.  The  presence  of  the  food  stim- 
ulates the  gastric  juice  to  flow;  this  juice  contains  hydrochloric 
acid,  and  when  its  secretion  is  fully  established,  the  starch  di- 
gestion ceases.  As  soon  as  the  acidulation  comes  up  to  a  cer- 
tain point,  the  pylorus  opens  and  the  products  of  digestion 
(now  called  chyme)  pass  out  into  the  duodenum,  where  the  bile 


90  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

and  pancreatic  ferments  act  upon  it.     The  action  of  the  bile  is 
three- fold : 

1.  Changes  the  acid  reaction  to  alkaline. 

2.  Emulsifies  the  fat. 

3.  Acts  as  a  laxative. 

The  pancreatic  juice  contains  four  ferments: 

1.  Amylopsin — to  digest  starch. 

2.  Steapsin — to  digest  fat. 

3.  Rennin — to  digest  milk. 

4.  Trypsin — to  digest  proteids. 

In  the  duodenum  the  chyme  is  changed  to  chyle. 

In  the  intestine  the  food  meets  with  succus  intericus,  which 
Pawlow  calls  the  ''juice  of  juices."  The  food  is  absorbed  by 
the  villi  of  the  small  intestine.  In  the  villi  are  the  small  lym- 
phatics which  take  in  the  chyle,  carrying  it  to  the  receptaculum 
chyli  and  from  there  on  through  the  thoracic  duct  to  the  heart; 
the  villus  capillaries  absorb  the  other  products  of  digestion  and 
carry  them  to  the  liver. 

The  stomach  is  the  fountain  of  health;  if  in  good  condition 
the  animal  is  well.  In  man  indigestion  is  the  main  factor  caus- 
ing disease  and  this  is  also  true  in  the  other  animals.  The  food 
is  either  too  bulky,  or  too  concentrated ;  too  rich  or  too  poor ;  too 
wet  or  too  dry;  contains  too  much  indigestible  matter  or  not 
enough  of  it;  the  animal  is  either  over-fed  or  not  fed  enough; 
he  is  fed  at  too  long  intervals  or  irregularly. 

As  regards  the  tendency  of  digestive  organs  to  develop  dis- 
ease, this  depends  largely  upon  the  parts  of  the  digestive  system 
most  often  in  use :  such  parts  will  be  most  abused.  In  the  horse 
the  food  is  a  short  time  in  the  stomach  and  a  long  time  in  the 
bowels.  Consequently  the  horse  has  less  disturbance  in  the  stom- 
ach than  in  the  bowels — diseases  of  the  bowels  are  common.  In 
ruminants  the  reverse  conditions  attain diseases  of  the  stom- 
ach are  common  and  rare  in  the  bowels. 

The  horse,  not  being  a  ruminant,  should  eat  slowly  and  mas- 
ticate his  food  thoroughly.  It  is  important  that  the  amylopsis 
in  the  mouth  should  be  complete.  Many  diseases  come  from 
bolting  the  food.  Sometimes  it  is  difficult  to  prevent  bolting. 
Too  concentrated  food  produces  diseases  of  the  stomach;  too 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  91 

bulky  food,  diseases  of  the  bowels.  It  is  a  recognized  fact  that 
wholly  digestible  food  produces  paralysis  of  the  stomach.  For 
this  reason  it  is  not  a  good  plan  to  feed  a  horse  on  flour:  the 
stomach  requires  the  cellulose  covering  of  the  grain  to  irritate 
its  glands.  Nature  provides  this  indigestible  matter  for  an  ir- 
ritating factor  and  consequently  the  stomach  will  not  work  on 
too  concentrated  food.  If  such  is  given,  the  germs  present  in 
the  stomach  take  advantage  of  its  inertia  and  set  up  a  fermenta- 
tion which  leads  to  gastric  flatulence  and  possibly  rupture.  On 
this  account  some  object  to  cooking  the  food,  but  this  does  no 
harm  if  plenty  of  indigestible  stuff  is  given  too.  Suppose  you 
scald  the  oats,  this  makes  them  easier  to  digest  and  also  renders 
part  of  the  cellulose  digestible  as  well ;  but  you  cannot  feed  the 
horse  the  rolled  oats  which  people  eat,  for  it  is  too  concentrated. 

Do  not  clip  the  oats  for  the  horse,  he  needs  the  hull  as  an 
irritant.     Clipped  oats  make  work  for  the  veterinarian. 

Barley,  wheat  or  other  heavy  grain  is  too  concentrated  food 
— it  has  not  enough  indigestible  cellulose.  The  horse  needs  hay. 
Without  it  the  stomach  will  not  work. 

PHENOMENA  OF  THE  DIGESTIVE  DISEASES. 

The  phenomena  of  Digestive  Diseases  are  fewer  than  those 
of  the  respiratory  system  but  these  phenomena  are  well  marked, 
They  are  as  follows : 

1.  Flatulence. 

2.  Colicky  pains. 

3.  Turning  up  of  the  upper  lip — expres- 

sion of  nausea.  The  horse  stands 
still,  suddenly  stops  eating  and  then 
turns  up  his  upper  lip.  The  only  ex- 
ception to  this  being  an  evidence  of 
nausea  is  in  the  case  of  a  stallion 
teasing  a  mare. 

4.  Constipation  —   pellets     hard,     small, 

scanty,  or  wholly  absent. 

5.  Diarrhoea. 


92  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

DISEASES  OF  THE  MOUTH. 

CONGESTION  OF  THE  BUCCAL  MEMBRANE. 

Definition. — This  condition  is  a  congestion  of  the  mucous  lin- 
ing of  the  mouth.  It  occurs  in  young  animals  during  teething. 
When  a  temporary  tooth  drops  out  and  a  permanent  one  comes 
in  its  place,  this  produces  a  circulatory  disturbance.  The  buccal 
membrane  may  also  become  congested  as  the  result  of  gastric  in- 
digestion. 

*'Lampas"  is  really  an  imaginary  disease.  It  is  nothing  but 
the  congestion  of  the  bars  of  the  mouth.  The  bars  hang  down 
usually  on  a  level  with  the  upper  incisors,  sometimes  below  in 
old  horses.  Disease  of  the  bars  never  occurs  except  in  punct- 
ure or  injury.  If  a  horse  does  not  eat,  a  quack  may  be  called  to 
look  into  his  mouth ;  he  sees  the  bars  projecting  down,  and  as  a 
bluff  he  says  its  the  **lampas."  Or  the  horse  falls  into  the  hands 
of  some  horse-shoer,  who  says  that  the  bars  must  be  turned  out. 
This  is  cruelty  to  animals.  The  bars  in  a  horse's  mouth  are  for 
the  purpose  of  keeping  the  oats  inside  the  mouth  while  being 
chewed. 

You  cannot  ignore  the  owner's  diagnosis  of  'iampas."  Take 
your  knife  and  scarify  the  first  bar  about  1-3  of  an  inch  deep. 
Then  give  the  animal  a  mouth  lotion,  bicarbonate  of  soda,  or 
borax  and  charge  your  client  $2.00!  If  your  client  will  permit 
you,  examine  the  animal  further  to  find  the  reason  of  his  not 
eating. 

Dentition  and  indigestion  are  the  two  main  causes  of  sore 
mouth.  In  children,  puppies  and  pigs,  convulsions  may  occur 
as  a  result  of  the  nervous  disturbance  accompanying  the  erup- 
tion of  a  tooth.     This  can  be  relieved  by  scarifying  the  gum. 

Hemorrhage  of  the  Palatine  Artery. — The  palatine  artery  is 
often  wounded  by  empirics  who  try  to  scarify  the  bars  in  case  of 
the  so-called  lampas.  The  tissues  around  the  artery  are  very 
firm  and  do  not  contract  down  upon  it  when  wounded  as  with 
other  vessels.  When  such  a  condition  falls  into  your  hands,  put 
on  your  overalls  and  gown,  for  the  blood  will  spurt  and  pour  out 
profusely.     Take  a  tightly  rolled  wad  of  a  substance  like  oak- 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  93 

um  or  cotton  (about  the  size  of  a  goose  egg)  ;  clip  the  end  of  the 
wad  in  Munsen's  sohition  of  iron  and  apply  it  to  the  roof  of  the 
mouth.  Holding  up  the  upper  lip,  wind  the  oakum  tightly  to  the 
incisors  6  or  8  times,  and  then  leave  it  alone.  It  will  be  all  right 
the  next  day.  Give  the  owner  a  lotion  to  wash  out  this  horse's 
mouth  and  charge  him  a  good  fee ! 

Do  not  embarrass  the  horseshoer  by  running  down  his  work 
before  the  owner.    As  far  as  possible  protect  the  horseshoers. 

STOMATITIS. 

Stomatitis  runs  a  course  through  three  kinds  of  inflammation : 
(1)  Catarrhal  (2)  Vesicular  and  (3)  Pustular.  Further  we 
recognize  two  kinds,  the  contagious  and  non-contagious. 

Etiology. — The  contagious  form  of  stomatitis  is  produced  by 
some  specific  germ,  which  as  yet  we  do  not  know.  The  non- 
contagious is  often  due  to  indigestion;  it  sometimes  occurs 
through  local  injuries  and  infection  of  wounds.  Very  fortu- 
nately for  all  animals  the  infection  of  the  mouth  wounds  is  not 
common.  The  wounds  are  common  but  their  infection  is  not. 
The  salivary  wash  of  the  mouth  is  one  continual  disinfectant;  the 
saliva  washes  the  germs  away  and  bathes  the  wounds. 

Semciology. — We  see  stomatitis  in  foals  and  in  calves  from 
too  much  nursing.  The  foam  at  the  side  of  the  mouth  of  a  lit- 
tle calf,  when  in  excess,  produces  sore  mouth.  This  is  ''baby's 
thrush."  A  little  gastric  indigestion  may  accentuate  it.  Acari 
may  infect  these  sore  places.  The  form  seen  in  foals  is  the  ca- 
tarrhal form.  It  will  show  itself  in  deep  red  patches,  on  which 
a  bran-life  scurf  will  form.  This  is  coagulated  mucous,  a  plastic 
exudate,  and  it  soon  gets  fetid.  The  feter  is  due  to  the  degen- 
erated mucous.  In  a  bad  case  these  patches  extend  and  coal- 
esce so  that  the  whole  lining  of  the  cheek  may  be  involved,  even 
that  of  the  lips  and  the  frenum  lingui.  The  roof  is  not  often  af- 
fected. The  catarrhal  form  occurs  later  in  the  fall— the  lips 
of  the  horse  get  chilled  when  he  is  grazing  on  the  frozen  grass 
in  the  late  fall  much  worse  than  in  winter. 

In  the  vesicular  form  of  stomatitis  the  patches  are  covered 
with  little  vesicles.     These  vesicles  are  probably  due  to  indiges- 


94  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

tioii ;  they  are  little  cankers,  coming  up  first  as  vesicles  then  dis- 
charging and  ulcerating.  The  pustular  form  may  follow  the 
vesicular. 

The  technical  name  of  the  pustular  form  of  stomatitis  has 
been  given  by  Prof.  Williams  as  Stomatitis  piistulosa  contagiosa. 
It  has  an  incubation  of  about  3  days.  It  will  likely  show  as  a 
profuse  eruption  on  the  lower  lip,  sometimes  extending  around 
on  the  outside  of  the  lips  even  to  the  outside  of  the  cheeks,  down 
the  shoulders  and  breast  to  the  hoofs.  The  specific  germ  has 
never  been  found.  The  course  and  termination  are  the  same  as 
equine  variola,  which  in  my  opinion  is  the  same  disease.  Horse 
pox  is  very  contagious  to  other  animals  and  to  people.  Never 
give  a  horse  a  ball  or  do  dentistry  on  him  without  examining  his 
mouth  for  contagious  stomatitis.  If  the  saliva  from  such  a  case 
drys  on  your  hands,  they  will  become  inoculated  with  infection. 
If  this  does  occur,  soak  the  hands  in  a  5  per  cent  solution  of 

formaldehyde. 

Treatment. — In  the  non-contagious  form  the  first  thing  to  do 
is  to  remove  the  cause.  Change  the  diet  of  the  animal  if  neces- 
sary. If  the  disease  occurs  in  a  nursing  animal,  do  not  let  him 
nurse  continually.  Separate  him  from  his  mother.  Wash  the 
udder  and  teats  with  borax  and  also  the  mouth  of  the  foal.  In 
adult  horses  nothing  is  better  than  borax. 

As  to  the  contagious  form  isolate  the  animal.  It  is  no  use 
to  take  him  out  of  the  stall,  you  must  isolate  the  stall.  If  the 
partitions  are  board,  they  are  all  right,  but  if  wire,  board  ones 
must  be  put  up.  Put  ropes  or  chains  behind  the  horse  to  keep 
him  in.  However,  he  can  be  used  in  single  harness  if  he  is  not 
tied  to  a  post  or  watered  at  a  public  watering  trough.  If  his 
bit  is  used  for  other  horses  it  must  be  disinfected.  The  inflam- 
mation must  run  its  course  but  chlorate  of  potash,  a  saturated 
solution,  will  help. 

GLOSSITIS. 

Definition.— This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  muscular  sub- 
stance of  the  tongue.  It  is  usually  due  to  local  injury.  It  may  be 
produced  by  scalding  doses.    A  puncture  produces  an  inflamma- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  95 

tion  of  the  intimate  lingual  structure,  but  the  scalding  dose  pro- 
duces also  a  catarrhal  inflammation  of  the  mucosa. 

Cause. — The  cause  is  invariably  due  to  local  injury.  In  cat- 
tle it  may  take  on  the  form  of  actinomycosis,  tuberculosis,  etc. 
The  horse  is  not  often  afifected  with  actinomycosis  and  tubercu- 
losis is  rare. 

In  glossitis  the  tongue  swells  and  protrudes  between  the  in- 
cisor teeth.  The  mouth  hangs  open  and  the  tongue  hangs  out. 
Deglutition  is  difficult ;  the  horse  is  unable  to  eat  and  he  may  be 
unable  to  drink.     Constitutional  disturbances  may  occur. 

Treatment. — Ascertain  the  cause  and  remove  any  foreign 
body.  If  a  puncture  is  present,  follow  it  to  the  bottom  with  a 
probe-pointed  bistury  and  enlarge  the  opening.  Irrigate  well 
with  an  antiseptic ;  if  a  large  wound,  bathe  with  an  antiseptic  so- 
lution. Use  water  as  warm  as  the  horse  can  stand,  carbolized  1 
per  cent  or  a  10  per  cent  solution  of  boracic  acid  or  a  saturated 
solution  of  chlorate  of  potash.  If  the  swelling  does  not  yield 
promptly,  scarify  the  tongue  on  the  side  an  inch  long  and  1-4  inch 
deep.  Bathe  the  tongue  with  water  102-3  degrees  F.  to  promote 
bleeding  and  then  go  on  using  the  antiseptic  solution.  If  the 
mouth  gets  foul,  sponge  out  twice  daily  with  permanganate  of 
potash. 

If  the  tongue  is  injured  by  getting  caught  in  a  halter  chain, 
and  is  torn,  say  three-fourths  off,  amputate  the  balance.  You  can- 
not get  union  between  incised  or  lacerated  surfaces  in  the  mouth. 
In  examining  a  horse  for  soundness,  always  examine  the  tongue. 
A  horse  with  a  short  tongue  is  damaged  and  he  cannot  feed  so 
well. 

PAROTIDITIS. 

Parotiditis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  parotid  gland.  It  is 
usually  acute  and  it  usually  goes  on  to  suppuration,  forming  one 
large  abscess  or  two  or  more  small  ones.  The  cause  may  be 
influenza  or  strangles,  or  some  other  blood  contamination.  It 
may  be  due  to  local  injury.  In  my  experience  the  disease  oc- 
curs without  any  ascertainable  cause. 

Symptoms. — The  parotid  gland  swells  and  is  very  sore;  the 


96  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

nose  is  poked  out;  deglutition  is  difficult;  neck  stiff;  and  it  is 
hard  for  the  animal  to  eat.  The  abscess  is  likely  to  be  deep- 
seated,  and  will  take  a  long  time  to  rupture  spontaneously.  Con- 
sequently we  do  not  wait  but  open  it  up.  Small  superficial  ab- 
scesses may  rupture  of  their  own  accord. 

Treatment. — Hot  poultices  are  easier  than  applications  of  hot 
water.  If  you  set  a  man  to  bathing  a  part  with  hot  water,  he 
in  inclined  to  get  tired  and  stop  before  he  has  accomplished  any 
good  results.  A  hot  linseed  poultice  will  soften  the  abscesses 
and  about  the  fifth  day  it  can  be  opened  and  the  pus  let  out. 
Into  the  cavity  inject  an  antiseptic  solution,  then  insert  a  little 
pledget  of  gauze  and  poultice  some  more  to  soften  the  inflamed 
swelling.  If  a  poultice  is  properly  made  with  boiling  water,  it 
must  be  pretty  nearly  sterile.  You  never  get  any  infection  from 
a  poultice,  if  properly  made. 

Usually  the  salivary  discharge  from  the  gland  is  increased  and 
a  salivary  fistula  will  follow.  This  discharge  is  clear  and  odor- 
less. Insert  a  probe-pointed  bistury  into  the  fistula,  enlarge  the 
opening  slightly — to  about  1-4  inch  in  diameter — and  inject 
tincture  of  iodine  full  strength.  A  single  dose  ought  to  cure. 
If  not,  repeat  about  once  in  every  ten  days. 

PTYALISM. 

Ptyalism  is  an  increased  flow  of  saliva.  This  cannot  be 
considered  a  disease  but  is  a  symptom  of  some  other  trouble. 
Ptyalism  accompanies  many  diseases,  such  as  sore  throat,  te- 
tanus, sore  mouth,  etc.  As  a  rule  it  may  be  said  that  any  in- 
flammation near  the  salivary  gland  will  increase  the  secretion  of 

saliva. 

Treatment. — The  most  effectual  treatment  is  to  remove  the 
cause.  When  the  horse  slobbers  too  freely  while  in  harness  or 
while  eating,  there  is  something  wrong  with  his  mouth — either 
the  bit  irritates  him  and  causes  soreness  or  his  teeth  are  too 
sharp  and  the  bit  pulls  the  cheek  against  the  sharp  corners  of  the 
upper  molars.  It  is  not  at  all  uncommon  for  a  horse  to  foam  at 
the  mouth  a  good  deal  while  driving.  This,  of  course,  is  disa- 
greeable and  looks  bad.    When  the  veterinarian  is  consulted  he 


OP  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  ^? 

naturally  expects  to  find  something  wrong  with  the  mouth.  We 
usually  find  that  the  bar  of  the  curb  bit  (the  usual  bit  for  coach 
horses  in  order  to  give  them  proud  carriage)  does  not  fit  the 
mouth  or  jaw  ;  and  for  that  very  purpose,  to  make  the  horse 
prance  and  make  him  showy,  the  coachman  has  the  lines  buckled 
down  in  the  curb  and  touches  him  up  with  the  whip.  Occasion- 
ally the  horse  gets  crazy,  especially  a  young  horse,  under  such 
irritating  conditions.  The  horse  pulls  hard  on  the  bit,  and  the 
bar  bit  with  the  chain  underneath  is  brought  back  against  the 
sharp  edge  of  the  jaw,  it  cuts  through  the  tissues,  and  injures  the 
bone.  The  contused  bone  dies  and  sloughs  off.  This  condition 
makes  a  very  sore  mouth,  therefore  always  look  for  the  cause. 

The  horse  that  slobbers  too  freely  while  eating  cannot  be 
cured  unless  you  can  find  some  mechanical  cause,  as  the  sharp 
molars.  If  you  do,  round  them  ofif,  especially  the  front  molars 
where  the  bit  pulls  against  them.  It  may  be  necessary  to  change 
the  bit  for  a  time ;  get  a  bit  that  will  bring  pressure  on  the  sides 
of  the  bone  instead  of  on  the  bar.  Recommend  a  chain  bit  cov- 
ered with  leather  or  rubber.  A  straight  bar  bit  is  an  abomina- 
tion in  a  horse's  mouth,  such  a  bit  should  never  be  used. 

SALIVARY  FISTULA. 

The  duct  of  Steno  carries  the  saliva  from  the  parotid  gland  to 
the  mouth,  passing  down  on  the  inside  of  the  lower  jaw,  round- 
ing the  bone  to  the  outside  of  it  and  passes  upward  on  the  edge 
of  the  masseter  muscle  and  empties  into  the  mouth  opposite  the 
third  upper  molar.  In  a  fistula  this  duct  becomes  opened — it  is 
difficult  to  say  exactly  what  does  open  it,  but  it  is  so  exposed  to 
injury  by  blows  of  various  kinds — from  kicks,  from  rubbing  on 
the  manger,  etc.,  that  it  is  probably  opened  in  this  way. 

Treatment. — Establish  an  opening  between  the  fistula  and  the 
mouth  through  the  natural  passage.  To  do  this  pass  a  stiff 
silver-plated  probe,  a  small  one  first  to  establish  the  opening 
into  the  mouth,  then  use  a  larger  one.  By  increasing  the  size 
of  the  probe  in  the  course  of  four  or  'five  days  you  will  be  able 
to  pass  a  sound  which  is  at  least  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 
Then  put  a  speculum  into  the  mouth,  but  do  not  open  too  wide; 


98  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

pass  the  hand  into  the  mouth  with  the  front  of  the  hand  against 
the  cheek  and  feel  the  probe  as  it  comes  up. 

Suppose  the  accident  came  from  the  kick  of  another  horse  on 
the  cheek.  The  main  damage,  was  a  bruise  on  the  jaw  bone. 
This  resulted  in  inflammation,  exudation,  organization  and  final- 
ly complete  obliteration  of  the  duct.  This  is  frequently  the  case. 
We  find  that  the  organized  lymph  is  not  as  tough  as  the  wall  of 
the  tube  and  with  pressure  you  can  work  an  opening  through 
into  the  mouth,  a  small  one  anyway.  Take  a  brass  or  silver 
probe  and  run  a  piece  of  tape  through  the  eye  of  it,  drawing  it 
into  the  mouth  from  the  outside.  Leave  it  there  three  days,  then 
remove  it  and  syringe  it  out.  Clean  the  outer  surface  around 
the  opening,  scarify  the  edges  of  the  fistula  freely  and  trim  it 
out  to  make  a  raw  edge.  Put  a  continuous  suture  around  the 
opening  and  draw  it  up  like  a  draw-string,  using  a  solution  of 
collodion  to  wash  it.  Do  not  give  the  horse  anything  to  eat ;  tic 
his  head  up  for  about  three  days  and  give  him  plenty  of  water. 
This  reduces  to  the  maximum  the  secretion  of  saliva.  After 
three  days  give  him^  a  little  fine  hay,  letting  him  eat  it  off  the 
floor.  While  he  is  eating  the  saliva  will  run  out  through  the 
mouth.  If  this  treatment  does  not  succeed,  then  put  on  a  fly 
blister.  This  stimulation  will  produce  a  local  inflammation  and 
increase  the  repairing  process.  Repeat  if  not  successful  the  first 
time.  Some  surgeons  recommend  to  destroy  the  parotid  gland 
in  bad  cases,  but  this  cannot  be  condemned  too  strongly.  It  is 
very  painful  and  produces  very  unsatisfactory  results. 

SALIVARY  CALCULI. 

Salivary  calculi  are  calcareous  concretions  which  are  found 
usually  in  the  duct  of  Steno  on  the  broad  side  of  the  cheek  about 
opposite  the  lower  molars.  Probably  every  calculus  has  a  nucle- 
us, some  foreign  body  which  has  worked  itself  into  the  duct  of 
Steno  through  the  mouth.  It  may  be  a  little  piece  of  barley  or 
a  wheat  beard,  hull  of  oats,  buckwheat,  etc.  If  this  happens  it 
seems  never  to  get  out  and  produces  a  little  local  irritation, 
enough  to  change  the  character  of  the  secretion  in  the  duct.  The 
salivary  salts  accummulate  around  and  on  the  body  and  finally 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  99 

the  calculus  is  formed.  These  calculi  are  heavier  than  those 
of  any  other  part  of  the  body.  Their  increased  density  is  due 
to  phosphate  of  lime.  Also  they  are  slow-forming  calculi.  They 
often  obstruct  the  duct  to  a  considerable  degree  and  the  part  of 
it  nearest  the  gland  becomes  distended. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  calculus  by  the  aid  of  the  knife, 
always  operating  through  the  mouth,  never  through  the  skin. 
Probably  no  after-treatment  will  be  required.  Sponge  the 
wound  three  or  four  times  a  day  with  a  solution  of  borax  and 
impress  upon  the  owner  that  it  is  a  serious  case;  it  is,  however, 
a  simple  one ! 

DISEASES   OF   THE  THROAT. 

PHARYNGITIS. 

Pharyngitis  is  an  acute  inflammation  of  the  pharynx.  It  is 
a  catarrhal  inflammation.  Many  cases  of  sore  throat  are  cases 
of  pharyngitis.  Usually  a  combination  of  laryngitis  exists  with 
the  pharyngeal  inflammation,  but  either  may  exist  alone. 

Etiology. — Pharyngitis  may  come  on  with  sudden  exposure  to 
cold  and  dampness.  It  may  be  caused  by  foreign  bodies,  acrid 
substances  in  the  food  or  medicine,  etc.  Sometimes  the  inflam- 
mation is  so  severe  as  to  produce  a  post-pharyngeal  abscess. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  run  as  follows : 

1.  Difiicult  swallowing. 

2.  Possibly  a  little  fever. 

3.  Respirations  normal. 

The  symptoms  in  pharyngitis  are  much  the  same  as  those  of 
laryngopharyngitis. 

Treatment. — In  this  condition  counter-irritation  is  indicated. 
Give  anodine  or  a  stringent  medicine  with  a  syringe.  Either 
give  an  electuary  on  wooden  spatula  or  the  iron  gargle  with  a 
syringe.  Never  drench  a  horse  in  case  of  pharyngitis.  The  iron 
gargle  is  good.  It  consists  of  tincture  of  iron  one  ounce  and 
chlorate  of  potash  I/2  ounce  to  the  pint  of  water.  The  dose  is 
2  ounces. 


100  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

DISEASES  OF  THE  OESOPHAGUS. 

OESOPHAGITIS. 

Oesophagitis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  oesophagus. 
Etiology. — This  condition  is  caused  by  an  extension  of  in- 
flammation  from   other  parts;  by  the   scalding   of   the  mucosa 
with  caustic  drenches ;  by  external  injury,  kicks,  etc. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  may  show  a  rise  of  tempera- 
ture ;  difficulty  in  swallowing  is  present ;  disinclination  to  eat. 

Treatment. — In  an  ordinary  simple  case  if  you  remove  the 
cause,  the  animal  will  recover.  Give  a  little  antiseptic  medicine. 
A  solution  of  borax,  bicarbonate  of  soda,  a  mild  dose  of  per- 
manganate of  potash,  etc.,  are  good  antiseptics. 

Sequelae. — Stricture  of  the  oesophagus  may  follow  its  in- 
flammation. The  result  is  a  thickening  of  the  wall  with  a  lessen- 
ing of  the  lumen,  which  in  bad  cases  may  amount  to  stenosis. 
The  wall  may  be  thickened  3-5  times  and  the  lumen  not  more 
than  1/2  inch  in  diameter.  The  animal  cannot  swallow.  Even 
if  the  lumen  is  an  inch  in  diameter,  the  food  will  go  down  with 
difficulty,  although  water  may  be  swallowed  easily.  The  food 
accumulates  above  the  stricture  and  this  occasions  frequent  chok- 
ing. 

Treatment. — Sloppy  food  or  milk  is  indicated.  Take  away 
the  solid  food.  The  stricture  and  dilatation  are  incurable,  and 
they  occur  oftener  than  we  imagine. 

In  case  of  oesophagitis  from  local  injury,  there  is  more  jv 
less  enlargement  in  the  outside  tissues  and  this  causes  choke. 
If  the  tissues  of  the  oesophageal  wall  are  not  destroyed,  the 
case  will  recover.  Injuries  from  a  kick  may  press  the  oesophagus 
against  the  vertebrae  and  actually  destroy  the  tissues  of  the  wall 
without  even  wounding  the  overlying  skin.  Eventually  an  ellip- 
tical slough  may  occur ;  the  surrounding  tissues  swell  and  become 
doughy.  Open  up  the  tissues  over  the  wound  and  if  such  is  the 
case,  destroy  the  animal.  But  if  the  wall  of  the  oesophagus  is 
only  wounded,  sew  up  the  lacerated  edges,  turning  them  in  to- 
ward the  lumen  of  the  oesophagus.  If  they  are  left  out,  they 
will  not  adhere.     Openings  into  the  oesophagus  are  usually  fatal. 


,     ,  >  »  *   »     J  J 


t   1  '  • 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  101 

Following  the  operation,  keep  the  animal's  head  up  for  a  time 
and  feed  him  on  milk  and  water. 

OESOPHAGISMUS. 

Oesophagismus  is  a  spasmodic  condition  of  the  oesophagus. 
It  is  a  functional  condition  purely  nervous.  You  can  see  the 
effects,  but  you  cannot  foresee  the  condition.  Usually  the  spasms 
subside  after  a  few  minutes. 

It  is  caused  by  something  being  swallowed  that  irritates  the 
nerves,  and  produces  spasmodic  contraction  upon  the  bolus.  In 
view  of  this  never  give  a  dry  ball,  always  wet  it. 

In  order  to  remove  the  obstruction  put  the  fingers  at  the  bot- 
tom below  it  and  move  it  up  towards  the  mouth.  If  the  obstruc- 
tion will  not  dislodge,  you  may  have  a  case  of  choke. 

Sometimes  coachmen  get  the  idea  that  raw  eggs  will  make 
the  horse's  coat  glossy.  They  even  send  them  down  whole,  shell 
and  all.  This  frequently  causes  choke.  Oesophagismus  is  a 
symptom  of  choke.  But  if  the  cause  of  the  irritation  is  in  the 
thorax,  there  will  be  little  eating  and  then  vomition.  The  food 
may  be  streaked  with  blood. 

Treatment. — Give  a  liberal  dose  of  morphine.  This  blunts 
the  nerves.  When  the  animal  is  thoroughly  under  the  influence 
of  the  drug,  then  give  two  or  three  doses  of  cottonseed  oil.  If 
the  oesophagus  does  not  relax,  the  animal  will  regurgitate  the 
contents  of  the  oesophagus.  Then  pass  a  probe  and  push  the 
obstruction  on  into  the  stomach.  Do  not  wait  until  the  inflam- 
mation starts  up  before  doing  this. 

CHOKING. 

Definition. — Choking  is  obstructed  deglutition  by  the  inter- 
rupted passage  of  any  substance  from  the  mouth  to  the  stomach. 
The  regions  of  choke  are  divided  into  three  sections,  cervical, 
thoracic  and  cardiac. 

£h'o/o(7y.— Horses  may  choke  on  dry  feed.  They  are  raven- 
ous eaters— they  bolt  their  food  without  proper  insalivation. 
Cows  usually  choke  on  pieces  of  apples,  potatoes,  carrots,  sec- 


102  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

tions  of  turnips,  etc.  If  the  cutter  is  out  of  order,  the  food  will 
be  imperfectly  cut  up  and  the  large  pieces  will  cause  choke. 
Cows  will  choke  on  apples  which  they  have  picked  up  from  the 
ground.  Cows  which  are  giving  milk  are  inclined  to  chew  bones 
and  linen  garments, — I  have  known  them  to  chew  up  a  whole 
washing  and  get  choked !  Dogs  usually  choke  on  spools,  needles, 
hatpins,  etc.  Cats  the  same.  Sheep  and  pigs  seldom  choke — 
they  are  not  so  ravenous.  Poultry  fed  once  a  day  and  then  given 
meal  will  eat  too  fast  and  choke.  Horses  occasionally  choke  on 
solid  substances. 

Semeiology. — The  horse  quits  eating  and  makes  spasmodic 
but  ineffectual  efforts  to  swallow.  He  becomes  restless,  moves 
back  and  forth ;  has  an  anxious  countenance,  etc.  Nothing  can 
produce  more  nervous  excitement  than  a  choke.  In  the  course 
of  a  few  hours  the  obstructed  oesophagus  produces  nausea — 
animal  will  stretch  his  neck  and  he  gets  spasmodic  cramps  of  the 
cervical  and  pectoral  muscles.  These  draw  their  heads  toward 
their  knees.  This  is  seen  also  in  gastric  indigestion.  It  is  simply 
a  diagnostic  symptom  of  nausea,  and  may  be  so  severe  as  to 
cause  the  horse  to  shriek  with  pain.  These  cramps  are  called 
retching  or  ineffectual  attempts  to  vomit. 

If  the  choke  is  a  cervical  one  there  will  be  an  enlargement 
along  the  course  of  the  oesophagus  on  the  left  side  of  the  neck 
about  the  fiVst  rib.  In  dogs,  cats  and  chickens  the  choke  is  cer- 
vical ;  in  cattle  the  choke  is  often  thoracic ;  in  the  horse  and  in 
cattle  the  choke  may  be  at  the  cardiac  opening.  The  symptoms 
of  thoracic  choke  are  much  the  same  as  in  the  cervical  but  the 
nausea  is  more  marked.  The  horse  fills  up  his  oesophagus  to  the 
obstruction  and  then  throws  out  the  food  again.  He  throws  it 
out  through  the  nose.  This  is  an  act  of  vomition  and  there  is 
also  reverse  peristalsis.  In  cardiac  choke  the  obstruction  cannot 
be  seen  until  the  oesophagus  becomes  filled,  and  then  the  obstruc- 
tion is  seen  in  the  cervical  region. 

In  cattle  any  choke  leads  to  tympanitis  of  the  rumen.  There 
is  a  great  slavering  of  the  mouth,  present  in  all  animals,  however. 
Dogs,  cats  and  people  have  violent  fits  of  coughing,  but  not  the 
horse.  If  the  choke  is  not  removed,  it  acts  as  an  irritant  and 
produces   inflammation    running   through   the    ii'rst   and   second 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  103 

courses  and  terminates  in  gangrene.     The  animal  dies  from  sep- 
ticaemia. 

As  regards  the  horse  the  conditions  producing  choke  are  as 

follows : 

1.  Oesophagismus. 

2.  Oesophagitis   —   especially      a      factor 

when  the  inflammation  runs  to  ulcera- 
tion. 

3.  Organic   diseases   of   the   gullet   in  the 

form  of  a  stricture,  frequently  fol- 
lowing oesophagitis. 

4.  Diseases    of    the    salivary    glands,    by 

which  the  quantity  of  saliva  is  dimin- 
ished. It  is  impossible  for  the  food 
to  go  down  the  oesophagus  without 
being  thoroughly  insalivated. 

5.  Voracious  appetite — the  horse  bolts  his 

food  and  it  enters  the  oesophagus  dry. 

Deranged  or  decayed  teeth  interfere 

with  mastication. 
Treatment. — The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  give  a  hypodermic  in- 
jection of  morphine— 4  grains.  As  a  rule  it  is  impossible  to 
move  obstructions  downward,  but  they  can  be  moved  upward. 
Give  an  internal  dose  of  cotton  seed  oil  (about  2  ounces)  with  a 
syringe.  Then  manipulate  the  obstruction  rubbing  toward  the 
throat.  The  animal  will  throw  out  the  oil,  and  then  give  another 
dose  and  repeat.  You  can  put  a  hose  through  the  nose  of  the 
horse  and  turn  the  water  on,  thus  washing  out  the  obstruction  at 
times.  This  surgical  operation  includes  exposing  the  oesophagus 
and  nassing  a  ligature  around  it  with  the  stomach  tube  inserted 
to  prevent  the  ingesta  from  falling  into  the  larynx.  Before  at- 
tempting this  operation  read  up  on  it. 

Cattle  often  choke  in  tlie  cardiac  region.  The  proper  thing 
to  do  is  to  place  a  speculum  in  the  mouth  ( in  case  the  choke  is 
in  the  cervical  region)  and  let  some  one  press  upwards  beneath 
the  obstruction,  while  a  small  hand  goes  in  and  gets  it.  Or  a 
probe  can  be  passed  and  push  it  down  into  the  stomach. 


104  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

In  severe  cases  of  tympanitis  accompanying  choke  in  cattle 
you  may  have  to  tap  the  rumen. 

In  choke  in  dogs  and  cats,  hold  the  mouth  open  and  go  after 
the  obstruction  with  a  pair  of  forceps. 

In  the  chicken  give  them  a  dish  of  water  and  they  will  help 
themselves. 

ORGANIC  DISEASES   OF   THE   OESOPHAGUS. 

An  organic  disease  of  the  oesophagus  is  the  change  in  struct- 
ure of  the  wall  caused  by  a  stricture.  The  causes  of  a  stricture 
are: 

1.  Irritation. 

2.  Congestion. 

3.  Inflammation. 

4.  Organization. 

These  changes  occurring  in  the  wall  lessens  its  tube  lumen, 
thickens  the  wall,  and  destroys  its  dilatibility.  Immediately  an- 
terior to  the  stricture  there  will  be  a  dilatation ;  the  older  the  case 
the  larger  this  will  be.  In  connection  with  the  stricture  is  more 
or  less  degeneration  of  tissue. 

Symptoms. — There  are  frequent  choking,  slow  deglutition, 
contents  of  the  dilatation  frequently  thrown  out  and  occasionally 
streaked  with  blood. 

Prognosis. — The  prognosis  is  unfavorable  because  you  can- 
not dilate  the  stricture  nor  reduce  the  dilatation.  The  ultimate 
end  is  oesophagitis  with  a  choke  that  cannot  be  removed. 

Treatment. — Drench  the  animal  with  small  doses  of  some- 
thing that  will  tend  to  cure  the  inflammation — saturated  solution 
of  borax,  chlorate  of  potash  or  sodium  bicarbonate.  These 
should  be  given  several  times  a  day.  Give  the  animal  sloppy 
food  and  compel  him  to  eat  slowly. 

In  order  to  make  a  horse  eat  slowly  put  stones  in  his  feed 
box,  and  these  will  hinder  him  from  getting  his  food  so  fast.  If 
this  fails  there  are  patent  boxes  which  can  be  used  for  this  pur- 
pose. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  105 

DISEASES  OF  THE  STOMACH, 

VOMITION. 

Vomition  is  called  emesis  or  vomiting.  The  emetic  center  is 
in  the  medulla.  Something  disturbs  this  center,  and  the  reflex 
action  of  the  disturbance  is  transmitted  to  the  stomach.  The 
symptoms  of  vomiting  are : 

1.  Depression. 

2.  Turning  up  of  the  upper  lip. 

3.  Abhorrence   of   food.     The  nausea  in- 

creases  until   we   get   a   reflex   peris- 
talsis of  the  stomach,  duodenum  and 
sometimes  of  more  of  the  small  in- 
testines. 
The  act  of  vomiting  is  as  follows: 

1.  Deep  inspiration. 

2.  Glottis  fixed. 

3.  Spasmodic    forcible   contraction   of  the 

abdominal  muscles. 

4.  Food  thrown  out  through  the  nose, 

5.  ^louth  in  all  animals  except  the  horse 

wide  open. 

The  stomach  cannot  empty  itself  without  the  aid  of  the 
abdominal  muscles. 

Horses  do  not  vomit  except  under  peculiar  conditions  ;  carn- 
ivora  vomit  easily ;  omnivora  comparatively  so :  and  herbivora 
with  o^reat  difficultv.  Cattle  do  not  vomit  because  the  rumen  is 
large  and  comparatively  insensible.  As  a  whole  the  ox  is  phleg- 
matic. Horses  vomit  with  difficulty  on  account  of  the  shape  of 
their  stomach.  At  the  oesophageal  entrance  there  is  a  fold  of 
mucous  membrane  which  acts  as  a  valve  and  serves  to  keep  the 
food  from  going  back  toward  the  mouth.  Except  in  case  of  a 
distended  stomach  vomition  cannot  occur.  It  is  usually  accom- 
panied with  gas.  There  are  four  conditions  under  which  a  horse 
vomits : 

1.  Stomach  distended  with  gas  and  food 
mostly  liquid. 


106  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

2.  Organic  disease  of  the  oesophagus  with 

a  dilatation  of  the  cardiac  opening. 

3.  Rupture   either  partial  or   complete  of 

the  walls  of  the  stomach.  The  rupt- 
ure may  be  2-4  inches  long;  if  it  is 
very  long,  the  horse  cannot  vomit. 

4.  Closure    of    the    pyloric    orifice    by    a 

plug  of  indigestible  food  which  pre- 
vents the  food  from  passing  out  into 
the  duodenum. 
In  case  of  distention  the  greater  curvature  will  be  the  most 
distended  and  rupture  will  occur  here. 

INDIGESTION. 


Indigestion  occurs  in  all  animals.  It  is  a  functional  disturb- 
ance. It  is  named  gastric  or  intestinal  according  to  its  location. 
The  gastric  form  occurs  in  three  degrees  of  severity : 

1.  Acute. 

2.  Subacute. 

3.  Chronic. 

Under  the  head  of  acute  indigestion  we  have  two  or  three 
different  conditions : 

1.  Engorgement  of  the  stomach. 

2.  Stomach  staggers. 

3.  Gastric  flatulence. 

Acute  gastric  indigestion  usually  comes  on  suddenly.  It  is 
always  a  serious  affection,  often  producing  death  either  by  (1  ) 
exhaustion  or  collapse,  (2)  asphyxia,  (3)  rupture  of  the  stom- 
ach, or   (4)  gastritis. 

Etiology. — The  chief  causes  are  overloading  the  stomach, 
eating  too  fast,  insufficient  mastication,  insufficient  insalivation, 
eating  when  physically  exhausted,  and  improper  food,  especially 
that  not  assimilable  by  the  animal.  The  insalivation  is  very 
important  because  it  produces  amylopsis.  Eating  when  physically 
exhausted  is  probably  the  main  cause  of  indigestion — the  horse 
will  eat  too  fast  and  the  stomach,  being  depressed,  will  not  act. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  107 

Do  not  give  a  tired  horse  oats.  Let  him  eat  hay  for  a  half  hour 
and  then  give  him  the  oats.  Too  much  bulk  ( if  very  indigestible 
or  too  concentrated )   will  cause  gastric  flatulence. 

Symptoms. — Suppose   we   have   a   case   of   gastric   flatulence 
from  bolting  the  food.     The  following  are  the  symptoms : 

1.  Restlessness — the  horse  lies  down,  gets 

up  soon,  turns  around ;  the  worse  he 
gets,  the  shorter  time  he  lies  down. 
When  tympanitis  is  present,  he  can- 
not lie  down. 

2.  Mild  colicky  pains. 

3.  Animal  looks  around,  most  often  to  the 

left. 

4.  Trunk  more  or  less  distended.     Flanks 

fuller  than  normal,  but  not  very 
tympanitic.  The  distension  is  more 
under  the  ribs.  In  intestinal  flatu- 
lence the  distension  is  more  in  the 
flanks. 

5.  Horse  sweats. 

6.  Eructations — positive   evidence  of  gas- 

tric flatulence.  It  is  accompanied  by 
more  or  less  sound,  wdiich  may  be  so 
slight  that  you  cannot  hear  it  without 
putting  the  ear  to  the  neck.  These 
eructations  give  the  animal  great  re- 
lief, but  all  cases  do  not  eructate. 

7.  Xausea — retching  and  painful  vomition, 

especially  in  the  horse.  As  a  symp- 
tom of  the  retching  we  get  a  spas- 
modic contraction  of  the  muscles  of 
the  neck  and  breast  the  same  as  in 
choke.  Retching  is  a  painful  effort 
to  vomit  without  succeeding. 

8.  Rapidly  developing  pervous  prostration. 

9.  Rapid  breathing. 
10.  Expired  air  cold. 


108  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

11.  Nostrils  dilated. 

12.  Mucous  membranes  cyanotic. 

13.  Pulse  rapid,  small,  weak  and  hard. 

In  a  mild  case  that  recovers  the  fermentation  will  stop.  In 
fatal  cases  the  horse  most  commonly  dies  from  syncope — a  result 
of  the  great  nervous  prostration,  which  is  produced  largely  by 
the  pressure  upon  the  diaphragm,  and  the  animal  finally  dies  from 
collapse.  Death  occurs  usually  from  10-30  hours.  The  next 
most  common  cause  of  death  is  asphyxia.  The  tympanitis  is  so 
great  and  the  gas  cannot  escape  because  of  the  cardiac  fold  of 
the  stomach  or  of  the  pyloric  end  folding  upon  the  duodenum. 
In  such  a  case  the  pressure  upon  the  diaphragm  is  so  severe  that 
it  interferes  with  the  action  of  the  heart  and  lungs.  The  animal 
may  die  in  20  minutes,  usually,  however,  in  one  or  two  hours. 
The  third  cause  of  death  may  be  rupture  of  the  stomach,  which 
may  take  place  in  4-5  hours.  If  the  case  runs  on  for  3-4  days, 
and  the  horse  does  not  die  from  any  of  the  causes  just  men- 
tioned, congestion  and  inflammation  may  result  and  the  case 
turn  into  one  of  gastritis.  Death  from  gastritis  can  occur  in  1-6 
days. 

Great  flatulence  produces  anaemia  of  the  walls  of  the  stomach 
and  prostration  of  the  vaso-motor  system,  and  as  the  flatulence 
subsides,  the  atonic  blood  vessels  fill  with  blood  and  become  con- 
gested.    Then  inflammation  follows. 

14.  The  appetite  is  suspended. 

15.  Temperature  not  so  much  affected  until 

gastritis  sets  in.     Then  there  will  be 

an  elevation  of  temperature. 
Treatment. — This  must  be  directed  toward  the  arrest  of  the 
fermentation,  which  is  always  present.  The  cases  are  always 
urgent.  Give  drugs  that  will  arrest  the  fermentation  without 
producing  more  gas.  The  acid  to  be  combated  is  acetic  acid, 
not  hydrochloric.  Neutral  salts  are  indicated, — hyposulphite  of 
soda — the  sulphate  is  most  popular  and  very  effectual.  Others 
are  sulphite  of  lime,  magnesium  sulphate.  Such  antiseptics  as 
turpentine,  boracic  acid,  salicylic  acid,  cresylic  acid,  coal  tar 
emulsion,  etc.,  are  good.     Carbolic  acid  also. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  109 

The  contra-indications  are  these: 

1.  The  antacids. 

2.  Carbonates  and  bicarbonates. 

If  the  carbonates  are  used  in  this  condition,  more  gas  is  pro- 
duced by  the  chemical  action  of  the  combination  of  the  drugs  in 
the  stomach,  and  therefore  those  who  recommend  them  are 
wrong.  On  the  other  hand,  the  neutral  salts  tend  to  liquefy  the 
gas  already  there. 

In  every  bad  case  of  gastric  flatulence  it  is  a  good  plan  to 
pass  a  stomach  tube.  This  opens  the  cardiac  orifice  and  gives 
relief.  The  antiseptics  can  be  pumped  through  the  tube  and 
then  syphoned  out  again — this  empties  the  stomach.  After 
emptying  the  stomach,  pump  into  it  a  couple  of  gallons  of  water 
with  a  little  common  salt  dissolved  in  it,  then  syphon  it  out  and 
repeat  if  necessary.  Turpentine  is  usually  given  in  capsules, 
may  be  given  with  oil.  If  the  mouth  is  dry,  the  pure  turpentine 
will  scald  it.  When  mixing  the  turpentine  with  oil.  use 
equal  parts.  Bear  in  mind  the  nervous  prostration  and  give 
a  stimulant,  such  as  sulphuric  ether,  alcohol,  capsicum,  ginger, 
strychnine,  etc.  In  order  to  relieve  the  pain  give  an  anodine — 
fluid  extract  cannabis  indica,  chloral  hydrate,  and  sulphuric  ether. 
Do  not  give  opium,  but  a  hypodermic  of  morphine,  4-5  grains 
may  be  given. 

When  the  horse  is  relieved,  feed  on  very  light  sloppy  food 
to  avoid  gastritis,  for  this  is  usually  fatal  in  the  horse.  Find 
out  the  cause  if  possible,  make  him  eat  slower,  file  his  teeth, 
give  feeding  of  hay  before  the  oats. 

ACUTE  GASTRIC  IMPACTION. 

This  condition  is  an  impaction  of  the  stomach,  producing 
stupor;  it  is  ordinarily  known  as  stomach-  staggers.  In  such 
a  case  the  horse  gets  loose  in  the  night  and  gets  at  the  grain  or 
bags  of  flour  and  loads  his  stomach  with  solid  food.  When  the 
stomach  becomes  filled  in  this  way,  it  becomes  paralyzed.  The 
horse  is  in  a  stupor,  he  hangs  his  head,  doops  his  ears,  partly 
closes  his  eyes,  stands  with  his  face  against  the  wall,  and  in- 
clines his  body  forward.     If  the  condition  comes  on  when  the 


no  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

horse  is  out  doors,  he  will  probably  stagger  along.  This  usually 
lasts  several  hours,  or  until  fermentation  of  the  mass  in  the  stom- 
ach takes  place,  with  evolution  of  gas.  Then  the  animal  wakes, 
bloats,  and  unless  he  gets  prompt  relief,  will  die.  It  then  turns 
into  gastric  flatulence. 

Treatment. — The  doctor  will  probably  be  called  during  the 
stage  of  stupor,  as  that  is  the  main  evidence  to  the  owner  that 
'his  animal  is  sick.  Bear  in  mind  that  the  horse  is  loaded  with 
grain  sufficient  to  kill  him.  Drench  him  carefully  with  quanti- 
ties of  saturated  solution  of  sodium  sulphate,  magnesium  sul- 
phate, or  good  liberal  doses  of  turpentine.  Give  two  ounces  of 
turpentine  every  hour,  until  you  have  given  two  or  three  doses. 
A  little  renal  congestion  may  follow  so  much  turpentine,  or  poly- 
uria, and  possibly  strangury,  but  these  symptoms  are  harmless. 
The  purpose  of  this  treatment  is  to  prevent  fermentation  and  to 
dilute  the  contents  of  the  stomach.  After  the  danger  is  passed, 
give  the  horse  a  dose  of  aloes  in  solution.  A  case  of  this  kind  is 
always  serious  and  sometimes  fatal.  Prevent  if  possible  fer- 
mentation. Give  liberal  doses  of  antiferments,  and  then  pro- 
duce purgation.  If  this  line  of  treatment  fails  to  cure,  use  the 
stomach  tube  as  directed  for  gastric  flatulence. 

CHRONIC  GASTRIC  INDIGESTION. 

This  corresponds  to  dyspepsia  in  the  human.  It  is  funda- 
mentally a  derangement  of  the  stomach  in  which  digestion  is  im- 
perfectly performed.  It  is  not  dangerous  nor  even  serious  but 
it  takes  a  long  time  to  cure. 

Etiology. — Chronic  gastric  indigestion  is  usually  caused  by : 

1.  Errors  in  diet. 

2.  Faulty  gastric  secretions. 

3.  Abnormalities  affecting  the  movements 

of  the  stomach. 

The  errors  in  diet  include  irregular  feeding,  too  long  contin- 
uation of  one  kind  of  food,  bad  quality  of  food,  like  musty  oats, 
over-ripe  hay  or  moldy  grain. 

Faulty  secretions  are  usually  seen  in  case  of  deficiency  in  se- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  Ill 

cretion  of  the  hyrochloric  acid,  or  a  deficiency  of  the  gastric  juice, 
in  which  case  the  quantity  of  pepsin  wih  be  diminished  also. 

The  abnormahties  are  the  chronic  thickening  of  a  portion  or 
portions  of  the  stomach  wall ;  chronic  thickening  of  the  pylorus,  or 
chronic  dilatation  of  the  cardiac  orifice  of  the  oesophagus. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  consist  of  the  following: 

1.  Capricious  appetite — animal  sometimes 

very  hungry  and  at  other  times  will 
not  eat  at  all. 

2.  Horse  inclined  to  lick  the  wall  for  the 

lime  and  other  alkalies ;  will  eat  dirt, 
especially  clay,  sometimes  eats  the 
bedding  that  has  been  urinated  upon 
in  preference  to  good  hay.  Young 
stallions  will  sometimes  defecate  and 
turn  around  and  eat  it. 

3.  Occasional  mild  attacks  of  gastric  flat- 

ulence, the  only  evidence  of  which 
are  sour  eructations. 

4.  Excessive    thirst — quite    common,    ani- 

mal will  drink  a  great  deal  of  water 
will  try  to  empty  the  trough. 

5.  Polyuria,  a  result  of  so  much  drinking. 

Often  this  is  the  symptom  noticed  by 
the  owner  which  induces  him  to  call 
the  doctor.  When  he  arrives,  he  is 
told  that  the  horse  is  flooding  the 
barn.  The  urine  is  clear,  and  there 
is  much  of  it. 

6.  Unthriftiness,  staring  coat,  thinness  of 

flesh,  pot  belly,  debility,  etc.  Animal 
may  become  hide  bound. 

7.  Feces  usually  dry. 

8.  Pulse,     temperature     and     respirations 

unchanged. 
Treatment. — Give  the  animal  a  complete  change  if   food  if 
possible — grass  in  season,  and  change  the  hay  from  timothy  to 
prairie.     If  this  is  not  possible,  use  any  mixed  hay  containing 


112  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

timothy,  clover  and  red-top.  Early  cut  timothy  will  do.  Crush 
the  grain  for  a  change  and  add  at  least  25  per  cent  bran  to  the 
mass.     Salt  the  feed  with  common  salt. 

Give  antacids  and  an  occasional  laxative  such  as  a  pint  of  raw 
linseed  oil.  The  best  antacid  is  bicarbonate  of  soda.  For  the 
digestive  apparatus  prescribe  arsenic,  gentian,  nux  vomica,  gin- 
ger, charcoal,  etc.  The  antacids  have  a  peculiar  physiological  in- 
fluence upon  the  hydrochloric  acid  secretion  of  the  stomach 
glands. 

If  the  flatulence  occurs  within  two  hours  after  eatings  there 
is  a  denCiency  of  the  hydrochloric  acid,  and  in  this  case  give  the 
hydrochloric  acid  instead  of  the  soda,  or  alternate  the  two.  Do 
not  give  the  two  together.  Alternate  them  for  a  week  at  a  time. 
A  dose  of  strong  hydrochloric  acid  is  about  7  drops  of  the  pure 
acid  (freely  diluted).  Make  up  a  pint  of  water  and  a  dram 
of  the  acid — add  any  other  drug  that  you  wish. 

If  the  flatulence  occurs  about  five  hours  after  eating,  that 
is  indicative  of  an  excess  of  hydrochloric  acid.  In  such  a  case 
give  anticids  four  hours  after  eating.  This  will  intercept  the  se- 
cretions of  gastric  juice  and  limit  the  quantity,  or  at  any  rate 
will  prevent  any  injurious  effects  from  the  excess.  If  the 
horse  has  a  fair  appetite  and  will  eat  powders,  give  him  ordinary 
white  arsenic  in  his  feed  along  with  the  anticid  ;  but  if  his  ap- 
petite is  poor,  in  addition  to  the  mixture  of  the  tinctures  give 
him  Fowler's  solution.  Calculate  to  give  him  arsenic  three  times 
a  day  and  it  should  always  be  given  after  eating.  Do  not  allow 
the  arsenic  to  go  into  an  empty  stomach.  Never  put  a  strong 
solution  into  the  mouth  in  concentrated  form — small  doses  will 
produce  poisonous  results.  Do  not  give  Fowler's  solution  clear 
— it  is  too  strong;  it  will  arrest  the  appetite  and  loosen  the  bow- 
els.    Dilute  it  freely. 

In  cases  of  this  kind  you  will  have  to  make  many  changes  ir 
the  hygiene  usually.  You  will  find,  for  instance,  that  young 
stallions,  between  one  and  two  years  old,  and  older  ones  if  they 
belong  to  the  draft  class,  suffer  from  confinement.  You  will 
frequently  find  over  acute,  subacute  or  chronic  indigestion  in 
stallions,  especially  in  young  ones.  Often  the  main  symptom 
noticed  by  the  owner  is  the  refusal  of  the  animal  to  eat,  and  this 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  113 

induces  the  owner  to  call  the  doctor.  For  this  lack  of  appetite 
give  a  mild  purgative  and  follow  it  with  antacids.  Let  the  horse 
fast  for  two  or  three  days. 

In  older  horses  with  this  trouble  always  examine  the  teeth. 
You  will  find  that  deranged  teeth  are  often  the  cause  of  indiges- 
tion. 

In  case  you  have  a  young  stallion  to  treat  for  indigestion, 
always  prescribe  exercise,  the  lack  of  which  is  one  of  the  causes 
of  his  trouble. 

GASTRITIS. 

Gastritis  is  inflammation  of  the  stomach  mucous  membrane. 
This  disease  goes  through  the  same  course  as  any  other  inflam- 
mation. It  frequently  runs  to  the  third  stage  of  inflammation 
and  may  terminate  in  ulceration.  It  is  not  very  common  in 
horses  but  is  common  in  dogs  and  cats. 

Etiology. — In  the  horse  gastritis  usually  follows  a  long  con- 
tinued course  of  gastric  flatulence.  It  is  sometimes  caused  by 
traumatism,  by  foreign  bodies — by  anything  that  can  wound  the 
mucous  membrane.  In  this  case  infection  often  follows.  The 
gastric  mucous  membrane  is  frequently  involved  in  a  general  in- 
flammation along  with  a  similar  condition  in  the  whole  alimentary 
track,  as  seen  in  influenza.  Poisons,  such  as  caustic  potash,  any 
of  the  three  vitriols  (blue,  white  and  green),  arsenic  (common 
form  eaten  is  Paris  green),  etc.,  are  some  of  the  causes  of  gas- 
tritis. Others  are  mercury,  lead,  and  vegetable  poisons,  such  as 
the  yew,  rhododendron,  etc. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  consist  of  colicky  pains,  not  un- 
like those  of  colic.  The  animal  turns  his  head  around  to  one 
side,  has  a  depressed  and  haggard  appearance;  he  sweats  more 
or  less ;  respirations  quickened ;  pulse  rapid,  hard  and  small,  and 
gets  more  so  as  the  disease  progresses.  There  is  complete  anor- 
exia. In  the  very  acute  cases  the  thirst  is  not  increased,  but  in 
subacute  cases  the  thirst  is  greatly  increased.  The  saliva  is 
usually  ropy.  There  may  be  frequent  eructations ;  flanks  tucked 
up;  purgations;  constipation.  The  animal  dies  in  a  stupor,  and 
the  form  of  death  is  syncope. 


114  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

In  the  dog  the  symptoms  are  as  follows :  vomiting — a  dog  will 
drink  large  quantities  of  water  and  will  go  right  off  and  throw 
it  up  again,  then  come  back  and  drink  some  more.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  prominent  symptoms  of  gastritis  in  the  early  stages. 
Upon  pressing  on  the  stomach,  pain  is  produced ;  the  dog  lies 
flat  on  his  chest.  The  other  symptoms  are  much  the  same  as  in 
the  horse. 

Post  mortem. — The  mucous  membrane  of  the  stomach  will 
show  inflammation.  If  caused  by  long  continued  gastric  flatu- 
lence, the  villus  lining  (near  the  pylorus)  will  be  dark  red  and 
swollen.  If  the  inflammation  is  caused  by  caustic  poisons,  there 
will  be  deep  erosions.  In  some  cases  you  will  be  puzzled  to 
account  for  the  death,  the  lesions  not  seeming  sufficient.  In 
case  of  lead  poisoning  the  stomach  at  post  should  show  redness 
without  erosion — this  poison  produces  general  collapse.  If  the 
stomach  has  arsenic  in  it  the  mucous  membranes  will  be  dark. 

If  death  from  poison  is  sudden,  there  will  be  no  change  in 
the  fecal  matter,  i.  e.  in  arsenic  poisoning;  but  if  the  case  is 
one  of  24  hours  standing,  the  fecal  matter  will  be  black;  if  3-4 
days,  there  will  be  black  diarrhoea. 

Treatment. — First  ascertain  the  cause.  If  gastritis  occurs 
from  poisons  give  the  proper  antidote.  If  it  occurs  from  a  caus- 
tic, give  oil — the  oil  and  the  alkaH  will  form  soap.  Give  moderate 
doses  of  the  oil  and  then  repeat.  A  pint  of  the  oil  would  be 
sufficient.  Repeat  in  half  pint  doses  three  times  a  day.  To  a 
large  horse  give  a  pint  at  the  time.  Apply  a  mustard  plaster  over 
the  belly.  Give  aconite,  alcohol  and  an  anodyne  such  as  fluid 
extract  canabis  indica.  Give  a  bland  fluid  to  drink  like  linseed 
tea.  If  the  thirst  is  intense,  restrict  the  water  supply — put  a 
little  bicarbonate  of  soda  in  the  drinking  water.  As  a  special 
regulator  give  subnitrate  of  bismuth,  combining  it  with  salol. 
During  convalescence  give  lime  water,  fluid  extract  gentian, 
strychnine. 

As  regards  the  poisons  which  case  gastritis,  it  is  essential 
for  a  doctor  to  keep  posted  on  the  various  antidotes.  It  is  a 
good  plan  to  carry  a  dose  book  in  one's  pocket  all  the  time. 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  115 

CHRONIC  GASTRITIS. 

Horses  are  affected  occasionally  with  chronic  gastritis.  It 
does  not  occur  often,  but  when  it  does,  it  does  not  yield  to  treat- 
ment readily.     It  is  associated  with  the  following  conditions : 

1.  Continual  errors  in  diet. 

2.  Frequent  recurring  fits  of  acute  indiges- 

tion. 

3.  Textural  changes  in  the  glandular  tis- 

sues of  the  stomach  wall,  such  as 
seen  occasionally  in  heaves.  The 
secretions  are  deficient  in  both  quan- 
tity and  quality. 

4.  Cribbing     and      long-continued      wind 

sucking. 

5.  Diseases  of  the   liver  interfering  with 

the  secretion  of  the  bile. 

6.  Malignant  disease  of  the  stomach. 

7.  Mechanical  injury  to  the  mucous  mem- 

brane produced  by  bots.     These  hang 
to  the  mucous  membrane  with   little 
booklets,  and  if  there  are  very  many, 
they  irritate  the  mucous  lining. 
Semeiology. — The  symptoms  are  long  continued  and  not  very 
expressive.     A  very  capricious  appetite  will  be  present ;  greatly 
increased  thirst;  general   unthrifty    condition;    pot    belly,    hide 
bound,  long  staring  coat,  debility,  etc.     The  termination  may  be 
favorable  if  the  cause  can  be  removed,  but  it  may  develop  into 
the  acu^e  form  at  any  time. 

Treatment. — Look'  at  the  molar  teeth  and  attend  to  them  if 
need  be.  Attend  to  the  hygiene ;  give  antacids  such  as  bicar- 
bonate of  soda,  lime  water,  prepared  chalk,  subnitrate  of  bis- 
muth, etc.  Put  them  in  the  drinking  water  or  feed.  A  horse 
with  this  trouble  will  drink  all  that  he  can  hold.  Other  drugs 
are  gentian,  ginger,  mux  vomica,  tonic  doses  of  quinine,  arsenic, 
etc.  Give  him  a  run  at  grass  if  possible.  See  the  Hygiene  for 
Chronic   Gastric   Indigestion. 


116  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

Rupture  of  the  stomach  may  be  partial  or  complete.  Remem- 
ber that  the  stomach  wall  consists  of  three  coats,  the  middle 
layer  of  non-striated  muscle,  covered  with  a  serous  coat,  the  peri- 
toneum, and  an  inner  mucous  coat  which  lines  the  stomach.  In 
partial  rupture  the  serous  coat  gives  away  first,  then  the  mus- 
cular. 

Etiology. — Rupture  may  occur  in  gastric  flatulence,  repeated 
attacks  of  which  will  terminate  in  rupture.  The  rupture  will 
probably  occur  in  a  much  milder  attack  of  flatulence  than  he 
may  have  recovered  from  many  times  before.  Every  attack  of 
flatulence  weakens  the  stomach  wall.  In  posting  a  case  of 
rupture,  the  tear  may  be  a  foot  long — this  probably  took  place 
wdien  tlie  horse  fell.  That  which  occurs  in  case  of  distension  is 
usually  2-4  inches  long.  And  the  post  will  reveal  something 
about  the  time  of  the  rupture;  if  it  has  taken  place  6-8  hours  be- 
fore death,  the  edges. of  the  laceration  will  show  congestion  or 
even  inflammation;  if  the  tear  took  place  when  the  animal  fell, 
the  edges  will  not  be  congested. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  of  rupture  are  not  diagnostic. 
Never  state  the  diagnosis  positively,  to  be  contradicted  after- 
ward by  a  post.  The  following  symptoms  are  usually  confirmed 
by  post  mortem  in  case  of  rupture  but  they  are  present  in  other 
diseases  too : 

1.  Vomition  is  a  usual  symptom.  There 
is  not  necessarily  an  actual  expulsion 
of  food  and  injecta,  but  there  may 
be  retching.  In  some  cases  there  will 
be  no  vomiting  at  all.  In  rupture 
of  the  diaphragm  and  in  gut-tie  we  get 
vomition  also.  Horses  have  vomited 
2-10  hours  after  rupture  as  proven  by 
the  congestion  and  in  some  cases  in- 
flammation of  the  edges  of  the  rup- 
ture. We  may  find  an  extensive  peri- 
tonitis in  case  of  rupture,  this  show- 
ing that  time  may  elapse  and  the  ani- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  117 

mal  live  after  the  rupture  has  taken 
place.  The  peritoneum  may  show 
exudation  and  effusion  as  the  result 
of  the  contact  with  the  injecta  from 
the  stomach'. 

2.  Great  nervous  prostration. 

3.  Increase  in   frequency  and  decrease  in 

size  and  strength  of  the  pulse. 

4.  Sweating  in  patches. 

5.  Anxious  countenance. 

6.  Animal  lies  down  and  then  rises  up  on 

his  forward  feet,  sitting  on  his 
haunches  like  a  dog. 

7.  Hurried   respiration. 

8.  Mucous  membranes  cyanotic — the  cyan- 

osis   is   due   to   the   nervous   prostra- 
tion, which  lessens  the  heart's  action 
and  thus  induces  the  cyanosis. 
As  death  approaches,  the  ears,  extremities  and  nose  get  cold ; 
the  perspiration  is  cold ;  there  is  trembling  of  the  muscles,  more 
particularly  the  caput  muscles.     Death  may  take  place  anywhere 
from  1/4-20  hours.     In  the  majority   of  cases   it  occurs  in   2-6 
hours.     The  nervous  prostration  and  death   from  syncope  may 
occur   at   any   time.     A   sensitive   nervous    system   will    collapse 
quickly   from  an  attack  of  rupture  and  the  animal  will   die  in 
half  an  hour,  while  a  phlegmatic  temperament  will  not  show  so 
quick  a  reaction.     One  case  is  recorded  as  living  50  hours  after 
rupture. 

The  symptoms  after  the  rupture  has  taken  place  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

1.  Pain  ceases. 

2.  Tympanitis  ceases. 

3.  Sudden  cessation  of  the  flatulence. 

In  a  case  where  rupture  occurs  say  18  inches  long  without 
any  congestion  of  the  lacerated  edges,  we  must  conclude  that  the 
rupture  took  place  when  he  fell,  and  that  he  died  from  asphyxia. 
In  such  a  case  you  could  not  say  that  the  rupture  killed  him,  it 
was   the   dropping.     On   the   other    hand    if   you    find   a   partial 


118  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

rupture  and  the  mucosa  bulging  outside  the  wall,  then  the  rupture 
causes  the  death. 

Treatment. — To  begin  with  all  cases  of  rupture  are  fatal — 
whether  the  rupture  is  partial  or  complete.  But  seeing  that  the 
symptoms  of  rupture  are  not  very  diagnostic,  the  doctor  must 
continue  the  case  right  up  to  the  end.  Treat  the  case  for  acute 
gastric  indigestion. 

Occasionally  at  post  mortem,  holes  will  be  found  in  the  wall 
of  the  stomach,  varying  from  the  size  of  a  dime  to  a  dollar.  A 
horse  dying  in  the  city  which  recently  has  come  in  from  the 
country  will  always  have  bots.  To  these  some  attribute  the 
cause  of  the  holes,  and  it  is  also  common  to  refer  the  cause  of 
colic  to  bots — men  say  that  the  horse  has  the  "bots."  This  is 
wrong;  the  bots  are  not  the  cause  of  colic,  or  of  the  perforated 
condition  of  the  stomach  as  found  post  mortem.  The  bots  may 
cause  gastritis  by  irritating  the  stomach  mucosa  or  they  may 
become  so  numerous  as  to  make  an  obstruction  when  they  let  go, 
the  only  two  conditions  in  which  they  can  be  responsible  for  any 
lesion.  The  real  cause  of  the  holes  in  the  stomach  is  this :  They 
occur  in  a  digested  condition  of  the  wall.  In  such  a  case  the 
animal  has  probably  been  in  a  clover  patch  where  in  half  an 
hour  be  can  eat  enough  clover  to  blow  himself  up  like  a  balloon ! 
He  dies,  and  if  the  post  mortem  is  delayed  4  or  5  hours,  the 
stomach  will  become  digested  in  spots  and  patches,  and  warm 
weather  will  aggravate  the  condition.  The  abundance  of  the  gas- 
tric juice  which  was  present  at  the  time  of  death  digests  the 
stomach  wall  in  patches.  This  is  known  as  post  mortem  diges- 
tion. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Definition. — Constipation  is  a  condition  of  the  bowels  in 
which  the  feces  are  unnaturally  retained,  or  if  ejected,  are  scanty, 
hard  and  dry.  It  is  not  usually  a  serious  matter,  but  it  occa- 
sionally leads  to  death  through  other  developments.  The  large 
intestine  is  the  part  involved ;  constipation  usually  occurs  in  the 
floating  colon  or  rectum. 

Etiology. — The  causal  factors  are  three : 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  119 

1.  Feeding    on    bulky,    innutritions    food 

with  too  little  water. 

2.  Defective      peristalsis,     amounting      in 

some  cases  to  paralysis  of  the  large 
bowel. 

3.  Deficient   secretion   of   the    succus    en- 

tericus    or    excessive    absorption    of 
the  fluid  portion  of  the  food. 

4.  Intestinal  obstructions. 

Pathogenesis. — In  regard  to  the  first  cause,  bulky  food  will 
not  cause  constipation  if  the  horse  gets  plenty  of  water;  defi- 
ciency of  water,  however,  will  of  itself  cause  constipation 
whether  the  food  is  bulky  or  not.  But  suppose  the  horses  are 
wintering  in  the  barnyard  on  straw,  and  have  to  go  a  long  way  to 
get  water.  If  the  weather  is  cold,  they  wall  not  go  so  often,  and 
furthermore  they  will  not  drink  much  wdien  they  do  go.  This 
causes  constipation.  Or  it  may  be  mid-summer  when  the  grass 
is  dry  and  short.  The  animals  have  to  go  into  the  bottoms  to 
get  the  grass  and  the  streams  are  dried  up.  They  get  bulky,  in- 
nutritious,  dry  hay  and  little  or  no  water.  These  are  two  con- 
ditions to  cause  constipation. 

In  cases  of  constipation  from  the  second  cause,  we  shall  find 
that  the  horses  are  over-fed,  perhaps  kept  for  a  long  time  on  one 
kind  of  feed.  As  a  result  the  secretions  are  defective,  the  nerv- 
ous system  is  tired,  and  this  fatigue  reacts  causing  paralysis  of 
the  bowels.  The  third  cause,  a  deficient  secretion  of  the  succus 
entericus,  is  a  peculiar  condition,  and  may  be  due  to  inactivity  of 
the  glands,  or  to  excessive  absorption  of  the  fluids  of  the  bowel. 
The  features  peculiar  to  the  fourth  cause  will  be  given  under  the 
head  of  Intestinal  Obstructions. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  of  constipation  depend  upon  the 
cause.  In  case  the  first  cause  is  operating  to  produce  the  disease, 
there  will  be  a  general  unthrifty  condition.  The  horse  will  be 
thin,  more  or  less  hide-bound,  his  coat  will  be  long  and  staring 
and  the  feces  scanty  and  dry.  If  the  constipation  is  caused  by 
the  second  factor,  we  shall  get  inactivity  of  the  bowels  due  to 
nervous  depression,  which,  in  many  cases,  means  paralysis  of  the 
colon.     In  the  morning  you  may  find  an  absence  of  fecal  mat- 


120  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

ter,  the  horse  perhaps  will  not  eat  his  breakfast,  and  is  inclined 
to  lie  down  a  good  deal.  If  you  drive  him  out,  he  will  paw,  and 
if  loose  in  the  box  stall  he  will  turn  around  and  lie  down  again. 
This  condition  continues,  gradually  growing  worse  in  the  way  of 
pawing  more,  getting  up  and  down  at  shorter  intervals,  switch- 
ing the  tail,  etc.  At  the  end  of  the  third  day  or  the  beginning 
of  the  third,  the  temperature  rises.  It  may  be  102°,  and  the 
pulse  is  increased  in  frequency  about  50.  By  the  end  of  the 
third  day  the  temperature  will  be  103°,  pulse  55 ;  fourth  day, 
temperature  105°,  pulse  60  and  getting  small  and  hard.  By  the 
morning  of  the  fifth  day  the  animal  is  in  bad  condition,- — tem- 
perature 105°  or  more,  pulse  60  to  70,  respirations  25  or  30, 
haggard  countenance,  injected  mucous  membrane,  etc.  He  be- 
gins to  tramp, — to  walk  round  and  round  the  stall.  If  he  does 
not  get  relief  before  night,  he  will  die  from  enteritis. 

If  the  constipation  is  caused  by  a  de'ntient  water  supply,  the 
rectum  is  apt  to  be  everted  to  the  extent  of  two  or  three  inches. 
This  is  caused  by  straining.  The  everted  rectum  is  very  dark 
red,  and  if  it  stays  out  very  long  it  becomes  nearly  purple. 

If  the  third  cause  is  the  factor  producing  the  condition,  the 
pellets  wall  be  small,  hard  and  dry,  sometimes  falling  on  to  the 
floor  like  marbles.  In  aggravated  cases  of  this  kind  there  will  be 
an  inclination  to  lie  down  more  than  usual  and  mild  colicy  pains 
when  standing.  This  form  of  constipation  occurs  in  driving 
horses  that  are  highly  fed  on  hay  and  oats  and  are  overworked, 
keeping  them  thin  in  flesh. 

In  constipation  from  the  first  and  third  causes  5-15  days  may 
elapse  before  enteritis  develops,  but  in  all  cases,  if  the  horse  is 
not  relieved,  the  enteritis  will  eventually  kill  him. 

When  a  foal  cannot  have  its  first  passage  on  account  of  the 
dryness  of  the  meconium,  you  will  find  that  the  mare  has  been 
worked  too  hard  and  kept  on  dry  feed  so  that  there  is  not 
enough  water  in  her  system  and  the  young  foal  partook  of  the 
same  dryness  from  which  the  mother  suffered.  If  the  mother 
is  kept  on  soft  feed  for  a  month  before  the  birth,  this  is  not 
likely  to  occur.  In  case  the  foal  does  not  have  a  passage  by  the 
end  of  10-12  hours,  he  must  be  relieved. 

If  the  constipation  is  due  to  the  second  cause,  the  contents  of 


OF  VETERIXARV    MEDICINE.  121 

the  bowel  in  this  case  are  not  hard  and  dry ;  there  is  no  impac- 
tion nor  disturbance,  simply  paralysis  of  the  bowel.  The  normal 
motion  of  the  fecal  matter  has  ceased,  and  the  contents  are  lying 
persistently  in  one  place.  This  acts  as  an  irritant  but  not  enough 
to  stimulate  the  bowel  to  functional  activity,  enough,  however,  to 
produce  congestion  and  eventually  inflammation.  The  paralysis 
of  the  bowel  is  probably  caused  by  too  long  continuation  of  one 
kind  of  food ;  the  bowel  gets  tired,  and  this  tired  feeling  may  be 
due  to  a  loss  of  irritability  in  the  peripheral  terminations  of  the 
sympathetic  nerves,  which  supply  the  bowel  with  motor  power. 

Treatment. — Naturally  constipation  would  indicate  the  use  of 
a  purgative,  but  much  judgment  needs  to  be  used  in  treating  a 
case  of  this  kind.  As  a  rule,  the  drastic  purgatives  are  contra- 
indicated.  The  oleaginous,  lubricating  purgatives  are  better. 
Consequently  we  give  raw  linseed  oil  instead  of  aloes,  sulphate 
of  magnesia,  or  sulphate  of  soda.  Sometimes  these  saline  laxa- 
tives work  fairly  well  when  ihe  case  is  due  to  the  second  cause, 
but  otherwise  they  are  not  useful  in  equine  practice.  The  lin- 
seed oil  stimulates  the  bowel  sufficiently  and  it  also  lubricates  it. 
It  can  be  repeated  with  safety,  but  not  so  with  the  other  purga- 
tives. In  cases  of  severe  constipation,  aloes  will  not  work;  if 
you  repeat  the  dose  even  after  a  reasonable  length  of  time,  and 
the  bowels  do  finally  get  started,  super-purgation  and  death  will 
probably  follow.  In  addition  to  the  oil,  the  horse  needs  a  stimu- 
lant, which  in  this  case  should  be  strychnine.  I  think  that 
strychnine  in  constipation  is  indispensable ;  it  will  do  more  to 
cure  the  trouble  than  any  other  drug.  You  can  use  other  stimu- 
lants right  along  too,  such  as  ginger,  capsicum,  and  carbonate  of 
ammonia.  Further,  give  enemata  (soap  and  water);  these  are 
indispensable,  too.     They  should  be  warm,  about  100  degrees.  - 

As  a  rule,  in  treating  constipation,  anodynes  are  not  neces- 
sary until  the  case  gets  along  into  a  late  stage,  when  the  pain 
may  be  so  severe  as  to  require  an  anodyne  on  humane  principles. 
We  are  inclined  to  think  that  they  tend  to  decrease  peristalsis, 
which  you  want  to  increase,  and  therefore  they  must  be  such 
as  will  not  interfere  with  the  very  thing  you  are  trying  to  bring 
about.  Chloral  hydrate  and  chloroform  can  be  given  if  neces- 
sary. 


122  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

To\an  average  sized  horse  we  usually  give  a  quart  of  linseed 
oil.  Combine  with  this  an  ounce  of  fluid  extract  of  nux  vom- 
ica and  a  dram  of  the  fluid  extract  of  ginger,  or  half  a  dram  of 
fluid  extract  of  capsicum.  In  giving  a  soap  and  water  rectal  in- 
jection, do  this  by  gravitation.  You  can  use  a  pump,  but  gravi- 
tation is  better.  Hang  a  bucket  on  the  wall  and  let  the  solution 
run  in  through  a  hose,  which  should  be  inserted  in  the  rectum 
anywhere  from  2-6  feet.  In  this  way  more  can  be  introduced 
than  with  the  pump.  The  pump  forces  the  water  in,  but  the 
bowel  resists  it  and  will  throw  it  out  quicker.  Consequently 
the  water  does  not  stay  in  long  enough  to  soften  the  fecal  mat- 
ter. The  injection  should  be  repeated  every  3-4  hours.  The  oil 
should  be  repeated  night  and  morning  in  pint  doses,  but  with 
each  repetition,  lessen  the  quantity  of  nux  vomica.  Give  an 
ounce  the  first  dose  and  half  an  ounce  every  subsequent  dose." 

Suppose  the  trouble  runs  on  and  does  not  yield  to  this  treat- 
ment, give  stronger  remedies,  such  as  eserine,  arecolin  and 
barium  chloride.  You  can  give  a  grain  and  a  half  of  eserine 
with  a  half  grain  of  strychnine  dissolved  in  a  dram  of  water — 
give  hypodermically.  Fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  before  giving 
these  doses,  give  half  an  ounce  of  cannabis  indica.  Or  give 
him  morphine,  but  cannabis  is  better  than  morphine.  If  this 
does  not  work,  in  the  course  of  two  hours  give  a  grain  of 
arecolin  and  a  half  grain  of  strychnine.  Dissolve  in  water  and 
give  hypodermically.  Some  add  to  either  or  both  of  these  from 
34  to  1^  grains  of  pilocarpine. 

If  the  horse  gets  no  relief  by  the  fourth  day,  and  the  fever 
begins,  the  pulse  begins  to  climb  up,  his  countenance  is  dis- 
tressed, etc.,  the  doctor  begins  to  get  worried.  If  warm  enemas 
have  been  given,  change  them  to  cold — this  will  help  very  much. 
Run  the  hose  in  slowly  five  or  six  feet  and  use  plenty  of  water. 
The  cold  water  will  reduce  the  temperature,  which  by  this  time 
may  be  106  degrees.  In  half  an  hour  the  temperature  will  come 
down  perhaps  two  degrees.  It  will  allay  the  pain  and  stimulate 
the  sympathetic  system.  This  cold  injection  often  saves  a  horse. 
This  is  especially  true  if  the  case  does  not  yield  to  eserine  or  to 
arecolin. 

Never   repeat   eserine  or   arecolin   oftener   than   three   hours 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE,  123 

apart.  If  you  repeat  them  alternate  them,  and  do  not  forget 
that  the  stimulants  are  as  useful  as  any  other  part  of  the  treat- 
ment. In  case  of  an  infant  suffering  from  constipation,  give  a 
soap  and  water  injection,  inserting  the  finger,  and  let  him  have 
an  ounce  of  New  Orleans  molasses,  or  a  half  ounce  of  linseed 
oil,  or  an  ounce  of  castor  oil. 

If  in  6-10  hours  very  urgent  symptoms  come  on,  do  not 
wait  for  the  action  of  oil,  but  resort  to  eserine  or  arecolin.  Dr. 
Quitman  cuts  out  the  eserine  in  case  of  complete  paralysis  of 
the  bowel,  but  if  the  strychnine  is  given  first  to  stimulate,  then 
the  eserine  will  work  all  right  in  most  cases.  Eserine  should 
not  be  repeated  under  3  hours.     The  dose  is  1^2  grains. 

Horses  afflicted  with  any  kind  of  paralysis  in  any  part  of  the 
body  will  take  large  doses  of  strychnine. 

Counter  irritation  is  good  in  cases  of  constipation.  If  mus- 
tard does  not  seem  strong  enough,  then  take  croton  oil.  Mix 
croton  oil  (1  part)  with  linseed  oil  (8  parts).  The  docior 
should  apply  this  externally  himself,  and  be  careful  not  to 
blemish.  The  irritant  acts  as  a  purgative  as  the  result  of  absorp- 
tion. 

In  obstinate  constipation  we  ^nd  that  massage  of  tlie  bowels 
is  very  practical,  especially  for  dogs,  cats  and  the  human.  It 
cannot  be  applied  to  the  horse.  In  treating  the  dog,  lay  him  on 
the  left  side,  fill  him  up  with  soap  and  water  and  firmly  work  the 
water  out  of  the  colon.  Begin  on  the  right  side  and  work  along 
the  colon  and  then  on  the  left. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Definition.— Dmvrhcsz  is  an  unnaturally  fluid  condition  of  the 
feces.  It  is  a  peculiar  functional  disturbance  in  which  there  is 
an  excessive  secretion  of  the  succus  entericus  with  increased 
peristalsis.  This  additional  intestinal  juice  helps  to  produce 
the  fluidity  of  the  feces.  Accompanying  the  diarrhoea  are  in- 
creased peristalsis  and  increased  amount  of  mucous  and  gela- 
tinous exudate  accumulating  on  the  mucous  membrane  of  the 
bowel.     This  is  a  catarrhal  condition. 


124  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

In  superpurgation  we  have  diarrhoea,  but  it  is  not  functional ; 
it  is  the  result  of  the  action  of  the  dose. 

Etiology. — Diarrhoea  is  caused  by  the  action  of  some  irritant 
in  the  bowels.  This  irritant  acts  as  a  stimulant.  Undue  fermen- 
tation may  be  present,  brought  about  by  specific  germs,  espe- 
cially fungi  and  molds.  Or  there  may  be  inactivity  of  the  liver 
in  which  there  is  a  defective  secretion  of  bile, — there  is  not  bile 
enough  to  ch-ange  the  acid  chyme  to  the  alkaline  chyle.  If  the 
contents  of  the  bowel  are  not  alkaline,  then  diarrhoea  takes  place. 
This  is  the  cause  of  95  per  cent  of  all  the  cases  that  occur.  Par- 
asites, various  intestinal  worms,  especially  the  ascaris  megaloce- 
phala,  tape  worms,  mechanical  and  chemical  irritants,  local  irri- 
tants such  as  would  produce  a  local  inflammation  with  alteration 
of  structure,  excess  of  bile  which  is  of  itself  a  laxative  (ox  gall 
was  the  old  standard  family  laxative),  bad  hygiene  (poor  food, 
such  as  hay  cut  from  the  bottoms  which  overflowed  the  previous 
spring,  the  action  of  the  sand  that  sticks  to  the  grass  and  is  eaten 
with  the  hay  being  the  cause  of  the  diarrhoea ;  foul  water  con- 
taining wigglers  and  parasites-,  and  irregular  and  overfeeding), 
exposure  to  cold  and  dampness,  overheating  especially  on  a  hot 
day  and  some  forms  of  indiges-tion — these  are  the  principal  fac- 
tors producing  diarrhoea.  Diarrhoea  is  also  a  symptom  of  in- 
fluenza. 

S.emeiology. — In  diarrhoea  there  is  usually  a  watery  discharge 
from  the  bowels,  often  spoken  of  as  alvine  discharges.  The 
color  is  dirty  brown  or  it  may  be  clay  or  yellow.  The  dirty 
brown  is  the  usual  color  when  the  liver  is  not  afifected.  The 
lighter  color  indicates  a  deficiency  of  bile,  a  yellow  color  an  ex- 
cess of  bile.  In  case  of  an  excessive  secretion  of  bile  there  will 
be  a  switching  of  the  tail  prompted  by  the  irritating  action  of  the 
bile,  which  scalds  the  anus.     This  is  bilious  diarrhoea. 

In  all  cases  of  diarrhoea  evacuations  are  frequent ;  in  mild 
cases  the  discharge  may  be  frequent  too,  but  it  is  not  so  fluid. 
There  is  more  or  less  pain  present,  and  in  bad  cases  actual 
cramps.  If  the  case  is  acute  the  animal  may  lose  a  day  or  two 
from  his  work.  Increased  secretion  and  increased  peristalsis 
are  nature's  remedies  to  get  rid  of  irritants.  Consequently  in 
diarrhoea  we  find  the  mouth  pasty,  like  the  coated  tongue  in  the 


UF   VETERIXAKV    MEDICKNE.  125 

human.  The  mouth  smells  sour.  As  a  result  there  will  be  a 
lowering  of  temperature,  i.  e.,  subnormal.  The  amount  of  the 
fall  of  temperature  depends  upon  the  nervous  prostration  which 
results  from  the  evacuations.  The  mucous  membranes  become 
blanched  and  they  become  paler  as  death  approaches ;  tlie  pulse 
gets  small,  weak  and  hard;  animal  has  a  dejected  appearance; 
he  sometimes  sweats  in  patches,  as  death  approaches ;  ultimately 
he  dies  from  syncope,  or  collapse. 

Diarrhoea  runs  a  very  rapid  course;  in  young  animals  6-10 
hours  may  be  fatal.  In  case  of  superpurgation  ( an  overdose  or 
injudicious  repetition)  the  course  is  very  rapid.  Do  not  repeat 
a  dose  of  aloes  under  seven  days,  for  you  are  liable  to  get  serious 
results.  Be  very  careful  about  repeating  purgative  doses.  Some 
say  that  oil  will  kill  a  horse.  'T  know  better."  You  can  give 
him  a  gallon  in  some  cases  when  needed.  It  is  better  to  let  the 
horse  die  from  other  trouble  than  from  superpurgation. 

The  bowels  of  the  horse  are  very  sensitive ;  I  do  not  believe 
in  severe  purgation  for  it  is  weakening.  The  danger  lies  in 
injudicial  repetition  of  the  dose. 

The  strongylus  tetracanthus  sometimes  sets  up  an  enteritis 
rather  than  a  diarrhoea. 

In  all  cases  where  the  temperature  runs  down,  the  surface 
gets  cold,  especially  in  young  animals.  Foals  shut  up  from  their 
mothers  should  not  be  separated  for  more  than  four  hours,  for 
the  milk  will  spoil  and  produce  diarrhoea  in  the  foal.  Let  the 
colt  suck  some  every  four  hours.  Never  overheat  a  mare 
suckling  a  colt;  for  this  produces  an  unthrifty  condition  of  the 
colt. 

Post  mortem. — General  pallor ;  the  mucous  lining  of  the  bow- 
els is  pale ;  intestinal  epithelium  eroded  in  places  over  extensive 
areas ;  may  find  inflammation ;  peritoneal  coat  spotted ;  ecchy- 
mosis ;  contents  of  the  rectum  more  or  less  bloody,  called  by 
some  dysentery,  but  it  is  really  bloody  diarrhoea.  In  dysentery 
we  have  a  rise  of  temperature ;  in  diarrhoea,  a  lowering. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  cause.  For  the  excessive  peris- 
talsis opium  is  the  only  remedy;  for  the  acid  condition  of  the 
bowels  give  antacids.  If  the  fermentation  is  microbic,  give  anti- 
septics.    Salol  is  the  best ;  it  is  effectual  and  harmless.     Opium 


l26  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

is  best  given  in  powder  by  the  mouth.  To  prevent  nervous 
prostration,  give  a  stimulant — zingiber  or  capsicum,  or  if  the 
case  is  serious,  ammonium  carbonate  or  alcohol.  Strychnine  is 
contraindicated.  The  object  is  to  tide  nature  over  while  the 
other  drugs  get  to  work.  In  acute  cases  astringents  are  useless; 
in  chronic  they  are  indispensable.  In  cases  of  bloody  feces, 
give  an  injection  of  starch  gruel  with  laudanum.  When  the 
bowels  are  running  it  is  unsafe  to  stop  them  too  quickly  for  you 
are  apt  to  get  enteritis.  For  dogs,  cats  and  people  give  sub- 
nitrate  bismuth  (10  grains)  and  salol  (5  grains)  every  four 
hours. 

ACUTE  DIARRHOEA  IN  THE  HUMAN. 

Treatment. — This   consists    of   antacids   and   antiseptics,    the 
antacids  to  neutralize  the  contents   of  the  stomach  and  bowels 
and  the  antiseptics  to  arrest  the  fermentation  in  them. 
Prescription — 

Salol   5  grains 

Bismuth    10  grains 

Take  every  four  hours. 
Both  these  drugs  are  harmless  and  two  or  three  doses  usually 
produce  the  desired  result.  This  prescription  is  good  for  man 
as  well  as  for  animals.  In  grown  people  diarrhcea  does  not  al- 
ways yield  to  the  antacids  and  it  is  necessary  to  change  to  acids, 
in  which  case  use  sulphuric  acid. 

Usually  excessive  thirst  is  a  symptom  of  diarrhoea;  sulphuric 
acid  cures  this  and  stimulates  healthy  secretions  when  the  anta- 
cids fail. 

CHRONIC   DIARRHOEA. 

Chronic  diarrhoea  is  exceedingly  disagreeable.  The  horse 
comes  out  of  the  barn  in  a  normal  condition  so  far  as  the  bowels 
are  concerned,  drives  a  mile  or  two,  when  he  begins  to  empty 
himself  and  keeps  on  getting  looser  as  he  travels.  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  driving  horses. 

The  cause  of  this  trouble  lies  in  over-heating  the  horse  when 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE. 


127 


he  is  in  a  plethoric  condition.  This  purges  him  and  he  never 
ffets  over  it.  The  mucous  membranes  become  excessively  irri- 
tated  and  this  excites  the  sympathetic  nerves  which  control  the 
bowel.  The  result  is  chronic  looseness.  Chronic  diarrhoea  can 
be  controlled  to  a  certain  extent  but  it  cannot  be  cured. 

Treatment. — Give  antacids  and  astringents.  Hygiene  will  do 
more  for  the  animal  than  any  other  measure.  Give  the  best 
quality  of  food  in  rather  limited  quantities,  especially  hay.  The 
army  allowance  for  a  horse  is  fourteen  pounds  a  day,  this  for  an 
average  sized  horse;  in  this  condition  give  10-12  pounds.  Add 
dry  bran  to  the  oats  to  make  him  chew  slowly  and  he  will  masti- 
cate better.  If  he  is  inclined  to  drink  too  much  water  measure 
the  water  for  him;  give  it  to  him  in  a  pail,  1>^  gallons  four 
times  a  day,  six  hours  apart.  If  the  thirst  is  excessive  put  a 
little  bicarbonate  of  soda  or  hydrochloric  acid  in  the  water.  Do 
not  give  any  corn.     Keep  him  on  oats  and  bran. 

Prescription 

Sodium    Bicarbonate 4  ounces 

Gentian    Rd.    Pulv 3  ounces 

Quercus  Rd.  Alba  Pulv 16  ounces 

Zingiber     •  1  ounce 

Charcoal     3  ounces 

Make    into    60    powders    and    give    one    night    and 


morning. 


Recommend  the  driver  of  the  horse  to  start  out  slowly,  and 
go  that  way  for  an  hour,  increasing  the  pace  of  the  animal  grad- 
ually. Especially  is  this  necessary  in  hot  weather.  In  bad  cases 
it  is  necessary  to  give  this  treatment  continually,  and  the  horse 
will  keep  in  a  very  comfortable  condition.  After  a  month's  treat- 
ment leave  it  off  for  a  week  or  two  then  repeat  periodically. 

The  main  treatment  is  the  hygiene.  Use  soft  diet  such  as 
scalded  oats  for  horses.  If  you  give  ground  feed  a  little  bran 
should  be  added;  pour  hot  water  on  it  and  steam  well,  adding 
a  little  salt.  For  horses  that  scour  from  indigestion  stir  up  a 
little  wheat  flour  and  cold  water  (a  pound  of  flour  to  a  gallon  of 
water)  and  give  that.     This  will  often  be  effectual. 

The  following  is  the  classification  and  description  of  the  three 
principal  worms  associated  with  colic : 

1.  Ascaris  megalocephala,  inhabiting  small 
•  intestines. 


128  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

2.  Strongyhis  annatus   (sclerostoma  equi- 

num),    found  in   the   large   intestines 
of  the  horse. 

3.  Oxynris  cuvvula   (commonly  called  pin 

worms),   found  in  the  intestines  and 
rectum  of  the  horse. 

The  ascaris  megalocephala  belongs  to  the  family  ascarides 
of  the  order  of  nematodes.  It  is  the  largest  species  of  its  kind. 
It  is  a  large,  round,  yellowish  white  worm  from  10-14  inches 
long.  It  is  oviparous  and  common  in  the  small  intestine  of  the 
horse,  ass  and  mule.  When  these  worms  are  numerous  enough 
to  cause  an  obstruction  they  may  cause  colic. 

The  strongylus  armatus  is  a  blood  sucking  worm  found  in  the 
large  intestine  of  the  horse.  It  is  from  1  to  2  inches  long;  body 
gray  or  reddish  brown  and  broad  in  its  anterior  part.  The  mouth 
is  provided  with  a  ring  of  fine  teeth  by  which  it  holds  to  the 
mucous  membrane.  The  larvae  of  the  w^orm  may  be  found  in 
aneurisms  and  may  produce  tumors  as  large  as  .a  hazel  nut  in 
the  wall  of  the  intestine  (verminous  cyst). 

The  oxyuris  curvula  is  the  ordinary  pin  worm  and  is  most 
common  in  the  rectum.  It  measures  from  1  to  3  inches  long; 
curved  in  the  anterior  part  of  the  body;  the  posterior  half  is 
attenuated.  Its  mouth  presents  three  great  rounded  lips.  It  be- 
longs to  the  family  oxyuridse  of  the  order  of  nematodes. 

A  scar  id  a  e  ( fajuily ) . 

Ascaris  megalocephala  (species), 
Large  round  worm  (common). 

Strongylidae  ifaniUy). 

Strongylus  armatus  (sclerostoma 

equinum  ) . 
^The  armed  worm. 
Oxyiiridae  (family). 

Oxyuris  curvula  (species). 
Common  pin  worm. 


L 


3 

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O 


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OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  129 

COLIC. 

Colic  in  the  abstract,  of  course,  relates  to  the  colon;  but  as 
a  disease  we  apply  the  word  to  peculiar  abdominal  pain.  Colic 
is  divided  into  two  classes,  spasmodic  and  flatulent. 

Spasmodic  colic  is  a  painful  affection  of  the  bowels  without 
fever  or  inflammation.  The  pain  is  intermittent  and  is  pro- 
duced by  irritation  of  the  mucous  lining  of  the  bowels.  This  ir- 
ritation extends  to  the  muscular  coat,  which  contracts  spasmod- 
ically through  the  stimulation  of  the  sympathetic  nerves.  This 
contraction  is  usually  violent  and  painful.  It  is  the  effort  of 
nature  to  increase  peristalsis  to  push  the  irritant  along.  If 
nature  is  successful  in  doing  this,  the  trouble  ends;  but  if  not, 
then  the  action  is  repeated.  Therefore  the  pain  is  intermittent. 
If  nature  fails  entirely,  the  irritation  will  later  produce  conges- 
tion and  inflammation,  and  eventually  death  by  enteritis. 

In  such  a  case  the  spasms  increase  in  violence  as  the  case 
runs  along.  In  a  favorable  case  they  may  stop  altogether,  but  if 
they  do  recur,  it  is  with  decreased  violence  until  they  stop. 

Etiology. — As  to  the  causes  of  colic,  first  comes  errors  in  diet, 
producing  indigestion.  This  covers  overeating,  poor  food,  heavy 
drinking  soon  after  eating,  frozen  food,, — this  chills  the  mucous 
lining  and  the  reaction  from  the  chill  is  accompanied  by  cran:ps, 
eating  when  physically  exhausted,  drinking  large  draughts  of  cold 
water  especially  when  warm,  and  still  more  so  if  the  horse  is 
tired,  intestinal  concretions, — usually  the  calcareous  ones  (a  cal- 
culus in  the  bowel  does  not  cause  pain  until  it  rolls  out  of  its 
pocket,  then  it  acts  as  an  irritant,  but  the  pocket  in  which  it 
grows  has  become  accustomed  to  its  weight  gradually),  para- 
sites such  as  ascarides,  strongylus  armatus  and  strongylus  tctra- 
canthus.  Of  these  three  worms  the  last  two  mentioned  are  more 
likely  to  produce  colic,  the  first  to  produce  diarrhoea.  The  young 
embryos  of  these  worms  sometimes  work  their  way  into  the  colic 
artery,  start  a  colony  and  eventually  cause  an  aneurism,  which  is 
more  or  less  obstructed  by  worms.  Any  alteration  or  disturbance 
of  the  circulation  in  the  bowels  produces  violent  pain  the  same  as 
congestion  in  pleurisy  causes  pain.  This  pressure  in  the  colic 
artery  produces  pain  sufficiently  to  ultimately  kill  the  animal. 


130  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

The  strongylus  tetracanthus  usually  exists  in  large  numbers 
and  produces  extreme  pain,  for  which  we  use  irritating  poisons 
such  as  arsenic,  sulphate  of  copper,  sulphate  of  zinc,  or  sulphate 
of  iron  in  large  quantities. 

Another  cause  of  colic  is  exposure  to  cold  and  dampness.  If 
a  horse  falls  down  or  lies  down  on  the  ice  or  snow,  exposure  to 
the  cold  is  likely  to  produce  colic.  Colic  may  be  produced  by 
violence  in  the  form  of  kicks,  severe  accidents,  etc. 

Scmciology. — Colic  usually  comes  on  suddenly.  The  irritant, 
whatever  it  is,  irritates  the  hning  of  the  bowel  and  nature  will 
submit  to  this  disturbance  only  up  to  a  certain  point.  Then  she 
gives  away  suddenly.  The  irritation  sufficient  to  produce  colic 
may  be  accumulating  for  several  days  or  it  may  do  its  work  in  a 
few  hours,  but  when  the  colic  begins,  it  runs  a  rapid  course.  If 
the  horse  is  watched  prior  to  the  development  of  the  disease,  it 
will  be  noticed  that  he  gets  uneasy  first,  may  lie  down  and  kick 
his  hind  feet  up,  turn  around,  switch  his  tail,  lie  down  and  roll 
and  get  up  again.  He  may  be  quite  comfortable  for  a  few 
minutes,  then  another  cramp  comes  on  a  little  more  severe  than 
the  preceding  one.  As  a  result  he  lies  down  and  may  attempt  to 
remain  on  his  back,  then  goes  through  the  same  restless  motions 
again  until  he  exercises  himself  enough  to  sweat.  He  rolls  and 
kicks  and  switches  his  tail  until  he  feels  easier. 

In  the  majority  of  cases  nature  cures  the  trouble.  These  vio- 
lent contractions  succeed  in  moving  the  obstruction  along.  Sev- 
enty-five per  cent  of  these  cases  will  be  well  when  the  doctor 
arrives.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency  due  to  the  violent 
exertion,  but  it  is  not  altered  in  character  until  the  trouble  has 
been  running  a  considerable  length  of  time  with  the  possible 
danger  of  enteritis.  The  exercise  m.ay  also  cause  an  elevation  of 
temperature. 

Pressure  on  the  belly  may  give  relief,  while  in  enteritis  or 
peritonitis,  it  increases  the  pain ;  this  is  a  means  of  diagnosis. 

According  to  the  idea  of  the  laity  retaining  the  urine  causes 
colic,  but  this  does  not  occur  except  when  the  horse  has  a  habit 
of  urinating  under  certain  favorable  conditions  and  holds  the 
urine  too  long,  thus  causing  a  spasmodic  contraction  of  the  neck 
of  the  bladder.    This  is  painful  in  itself  and  of  course  he  is  un- 


OF  VETERINARY  MPZDICINE.  131 

able  to  void  his  urine.  Overdistension  of  the  bladder  also  causes 
pain.  Some  horses  refuse  to  urinate  while  in  harness;  others 
will  not  urinate  on  the  bare  floor. 

Most  all  cases  of  colic  are  due  to  the  first  cause — errors  in 
diet.  The  effect  of  this  is  indigestion,  and  we  can  say  that  sev- 
enty-five per  cent  of  the  colic  cases  are  due  to  indigestion. 

The  feces  in  most  cases  are  hard  and  dry.  If  the  trouble 
is  in  the  large  bowel,  the  horse  will  stand  stretched  out  as  though 
he  wanted  to  micturate.  This  action  on  his  part  is  usually  looked 
upon  as  a  symptom  of  the  disturbance  being  in  the  large  bowel, 
but  the  owner  gets  the  idea  that  the  irritation  is  in  the  bladder. 
Again,  when  the  large  bowel  is  involved  in  colic,  the  horse  will 
usually  resist  the  entrance  of  the  hand  into  the  rectum,  but  will 
not  if  the  trouble  is  in  the  small  bowel. 

Occasionally  we  find  that  indigestion  produces  diarrhoea, — 
quite  an  extensive  loosening  of  the  bowels  with  severe  cramps  in 
connection  with  it. 

Treatment. — Bear  in  mind  that  the  trouble  is  always  urgent, 
therefore  be  quick.  If  you  delay,  he  will  get  well  without  your 
help !  On  the  other  hand  he  may  develop  enteritis.  Stimula- 
tion is  the  main  point  as  regards  curing  the  horse.  The  object 
of  this  is  to  assist  nature  in  forcing  the  irritant,  whatever  it  is, 
along  through  the  bowels.  Of  course  these  stimulants  naturally 
increase  the  pain,  but  by  so  doing  you  are  assisting  nature  to 
overcome  the  trouble.  If  the  contents  of  the  bowels  lie  along  in 
one  place,  this  will  produce  inflammation  and  death.  The  stimu- 
lants usually  given  are  the  more  active  ones  such  as  sulphuric 
ether,  liberal  doses  of  nux  vomica,  strychnine,  ginger,  small 
doses  of  eserin  or  arecolin,  barium  chloride,  aromatic  spirits  of 
ammonia. 

Give  anodynes  freely,  such  as  chloral  hydrate,  tincture  of 
aconite  (freely  dilute  it  in  small  doses  and  repeat  often),  can- 
nabis and  in  exceedingly  violent  cases  hypodermic  injections  of 
morphine,  not  desirable  but  allowable.  Friction  on  the  belly 
gives  relief.  To  overcome  the  indigestion  use  some  neutral  salt 
to  act  as  an  antiseptic.  Give  sodium  theosulphate  in  2-ounce 
doses.  Turpentine  is  an  excellent  remedy,  being  an  antiseptic 
and  a  stimulant.    Ginger  and  capsicum  are  also  good  remedies. 


132  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE. 

Watch  the  case  closely;  stay  with  it  for  a  time.  Colic  doses 
are  usually  repeated  in  half  hours  but  sometimes  they  must  be 
repeated  every  15  minutes.  For  violent  colic  away  from  home, 
at  a  funeral  for  instance,  tie  a  small  piece  of  tobacco  to  the  bit, 
and  the  horse  will  swallow  enough  of  it  to  give  him  relief. 

FLATULENT  COLIC. 

Flatulent  colic  is  similar  in  many  respects  to  spasmodic  colic, 
but  instead  of  the  cramp  we  have  tympanitis.  This,  whether  of 
the  bowels  or  the  stomach,  is  always  due  tO'  the  fermentation  of 
food.  In  case  of  impaction  of  the  colon,  when  there  is  paralysis 
of  the  bowel,  there  is  sometimes  a  little  flatulence,  but  it  is  never 
a  distressing  symptom.  In  that  case  the  flatulence  as  it  occurs 
passes  off  naturally. 

In  flatulent  colic  the  tympanitis  distends  the  bowels  and 
presses  strongly  forward  against  the  diaphragm.  This  disturbs 
the  breathing,  making  the  horse  breathe  faster  and  more  shallow, 
producing  rapid  nervous  prostration  or  asphyxia.  Rupture  of 
the  bowels  occasionally  takes  place,  the  symptoms  are  self- 
evident.  The  body  is  distended,  the  flanks  tympanic  or  drum- 
like, and  the  rectum  sometimes  everted  more  or  less. 

Pathogenesis. — There  is  indigestion.  The  undigested  food  fer- 
ments ;  the  flatulence  starting  in  one  portion  of  the  bowel  pro- 
duces a  fold  on  itself  so  that  the  gas  as  it  forms,  cannot  escape 
and  the  more  gas  that  forms  the  greater  is  the  pressure  upon  the 
fold.  Then  it  presses  forward  upon  the  diaphragm  and  causes 
asphyxia,  or  nervous  prostration.  Naturally  as  a  result  of  this, 
the  mucous  membrane  becomes  greatly  cyanotic ;  breathing  is 
more  rapid  and  shallow ;  the  ears  droop ;  the  head  hangs  and  in 
the  course  of  2-4  hours  the  horse  in  many  cases  is  ready  to 
topple  over. 

Treatment. — In  a  very  bad  case,  when  the  doctor  arrives,  he 
has  not  time  to  wait  for  medicine  to  act ;  you  cannot  relieve  the 
case  with  the  hose  and  the  disturbance  being  in  the  bowels,  it 
takes  the  medicine  a  long  time  to  reach  that  place.  In  the  mean- 
time the  animal  is  likely  to  die.  Consequently  you  must  tap  the 
distended  bowel  with  a  trocar.     This  is  considered  by  some  a 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  133 

radical  operation,  but  with  horses  it  seems  quite  necessary.  Keep 
the  trocar  with  you  all  the  time.  Keep  it  well  cleaned.  Boil  it 
after  each  operation. 

We  usually  tap  on  the  right  side  for  that  is  the  most  promi- 
nent point  of  the  distension.  Clip  the  hair  ofif  from  a  small 
place,  scratch  it  with  the  finger  nail  and  then  wash  the  part  with 
an  antiseptic  solution.  Make  a  puncture  about  5-8  to  1-2  inch 
deep  and  then  insert  the  trocar  downward,  inward  and  forward, 
at  least  six  inches,  especially  in  a  fat  horse.  If  you  strike  the 
bowel,  gas  will  escape.  We  find  two  kinds  of  gas  in  these  cases, 
sulphuretted  hydrogen  and  carbon-dioxide.  The  first  is  the  one 
usually  found.  Touch  a  match  to  the  escaping  gas  and  it  wall 
burn  w^ith  a  blue  flame,  if  it  is  hydrogen  gas,  but  if  it  is  carbon- 
dioxide  the  flame  will  be  put  out.  If  the  force  is  great,  it  may 
make  a  flame  a  yard  long.  Just  as  soon  as  all  the  gas  has  es- 
caped, reinsert  the  trocar  into  the  cannula  and  pull  the  two  out 
together  slowly.  This  will  prevent  the  fecal  matter  from  coming 
out  into  the  peritoneal  cavity.  Put  some  vaseline  on  the  opening 
to  keep  the  dirt  out.  If  possible  keep  the  horse  standing  during 
the  operation.  Occasionally  he  will  lie  down  and  you  cannot  get 
him  up.    Tap  on  the  right  side  if  possible,  but  either  side  will  do. 

After  the  gas  has  escaped  the  horse  can  get  up.  Then  dose 
him.  The  best  remedy  we  have  is  turpentine.  It  is  quick  to 
act — it  will  act  in  ten  minutes.  No  other  drug  will  act  so  quickly. 
In  addition  to  the  turpentine  it  is  a  good  plan  to  give  a  liberal 
dose  of  theosulphate  of  sodium — 4-6  ounces.  After  the  flatu- 
lence has  been  relieved,  give  an  injection  of  soap  and  water.  In 
case  of  considerable  pain,  give  an  anodyne;  the  best  one  is  prob- 
ably chloral  hydrate.  Give  a  1200-lb.  horse  about  two  ounces, 
either  in  a  capsule  or  in  tissue  paper.  Give  liberal  doses  of  lin- 
seed oil. 

Occasionally  when  tapping  a  horse  a  stream  of  blood  will 
come  out  through  the  cannula,  but  I  have  never  known  this  to  be 
serious.  In  case  you  do  not  get  the  gas  the  first  time  you  insert 
the  trocar,  keep  on  trying  until  you  do  strike  the  bowel,  always 
inserting  it  in  a  new  place  each  time.  In  searching  in  this  way 
for  the  bowel  do  not  pull  the  trocar  out  through  the  skin,  but  to 
it  only,  then  change  the  direction  a  little  and  push  it   forcibly 


134  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

down  again.  Sometimes  the  owner  will  not  let  you  tap  his  horse, 
which  may  be  an  especially  valuable  one.  Assure  him  that  the 
operation  is  a  perfectly  safe  one — that  it  is  absolutely  harmless. 
If  he  still  refuses,  you  can  resort  to  eserin  or  arecolin,  which 
should  be  given  hypodermically.  When  using  these  violent  rem- 
edies, give  the  animal  an  anodyne  so  as  to  blunt  the  sensibilities ; 
for  these  drugs  will  increase  the  pain.  In  a  moderately  bad  case, 
give  the  eserin,  or  arecolin,  or  barium  chloride — one  dram  in  a 
pint  of  water  by  the  mouth. 

There  is  little  use  to  give  injections  while  the  abdomen  is  dis- 
tended. Bear  in  mind  that  getting  the  gas  out  does  not  cure  the 
trouble;  this  does  not  remove  the  cause.  You  must  introduce 
an  anti-ferment  through  the  mouth. 

In  tapping  for  this  trouble  there  are  only  two  organs  to  avoid, 
the  bladder  and  the  kidney.  If  you  puncture  straight  down, 
you  are  likely  to  strike  the  bladder.  Tap  downward,  inward 
and  forward  and  you  will  go  in  front  of  the  bladder.  To  avoid 
the  kidney  dip  downward. 

Some  unfavorable  results  occur  from  tapping.  These  may  be 
enumerated  as  follows  :  Peritonitis  ;  tetanus ;  abscess  ;  intestinal 
fistula.  Peritonitis  and  tetanus  do  not  occur  very  often,  tetanus 
probably  the  more  frequently  of  the  two.  The  germ  producing 
it  is  introduced  with  the  trocar.  Peritoneal  abscess  is  the  most 
common  result.  It  is  located  between  the  parietal  peritoneum 
and  the  skin.  This  abscess  is  very  serious  if  neglected.  The  pus 
that  forms  in  it  will  extend  to  the  flank  and  break  out  there. 
If  this  occurs,  open  the  abscess  and  let  out  the  pus,  then  syringe 
it  out  thoroughly,  and  it  will  heal  very  soon.  This  condition  is 
no  reflection  upon  the  doctor,  such  abscesses  will  occur  in  spite 
of  good  technique  in  operating.  Exercise  all  possible  precaution 
against  dirt  to  reduce  the  danger.  Sometimes  you  will  get  a 
mesenteric  abscess  on  the  inside.  The  resisting  power  of  horses 
is  strong  except  in  the  peritoneum.  In  case  of  intestinal  fistula, 
there  is  a  chronic  discharge  from  the  bowel  through  the  punc- 
ture. The  liquid  portion  of  the  bowel  contents  comes  out  through 
the  puncture  and  it  does  not  take  long  for  this  to  become  a  fistula. 
The  best  treatment  is  to  cauterize  it.  Inject  into  the  opening  a 
solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  the  strength  of  an  ounce  to  a  pint 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  135 

of  water — that  is  a  little  less  than  8  per  cent  solution.  Shoot 
down  through  the  fistula  about  two  drams  of  the  solution  and 
smear  the  external  opening  with  vaseline.  This  injection  will 
produce  a  sloughing  and  inflammation  and  the  debris  will  empty 
into  the  bowel.  Usually  one  injection  will  cure  the  trouble  in 
the  course  of  a  week. 

In  using  the  trocar  and  canula,  do  not  leave  the  canula  in  the 
tissues  more  than  two  or  three  minutes.  Congestion  may  gather 
around  it  and  fix  the  tissues  so  that  when  you  take  it  out  an 
opening  remains.     Two  or  three  minutes  is  long  enough. 

In  all  bad  cases  there  is  great  nervous  prostration.  For  this 
give  alcohol,  strychnine,  ginger,  capsicum,  and  oil  of  turpentine. 

In  close  ribbed  horses  you  will  find  that  the  flank  does  not 
distend  much  and  is  not  so  drum  like  as  in  a  long  flanked  horse. 
These  cases  require  more  prompt  attention  than  long  flanked 
horses.  Watch  the  mucous  membranes  for  cyanosis  indicating 
the  necessity  for  tapping. 

INTESTINAL  OBSTRUCTIONS. 

The  intestinal  obstructions  consist — of  calculi,  dust  balls,  bots 
or  any  other  foreign  object  that  might  get  into  the  bowels.  As 
applied  to  horses  these  will  probably  cover  all  that  you  will  ever 
find.  Milch  cows  are  inclined  to  eat  all  kinds  of  stufif,  such  as 
table  cloths,  etc.,  dogs  are  inclined  to  swallow  marbles,  spools  of 
thread,  and  in  fact  any  hard  substance. 

Other  obstructions  of  the  intestines  are  caused  by: 

2.  Hernia  and  strangulation. 

3.  Stricture. 

4.  Volvulus. 

5.  Intussusception. 

Calculi  are  composed  of  carbonate  of  lime  and  usually  some 
carbonate  of  magnesia  with  it.  They  also  contain  more  or  less 
of  the  phosphates  of  lime  and  magnesia.  These  salts  accumulate 
on  the  outside  of  a  small  stone,  nail  head  or  other  foreign  body 
in  thin  layers  and  they  always  begin  to  form  around  a  nucleus. 
This  is  usually  a  piece  of  a  nail,  a  screw,  any  foreign  object  such 
as  a  little  pebble,  etc.     It  must  be  something  that  does  not  dis- 


136  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

solve  SO  that  the  salts  of  the  intestinal  juices  will  form  around 
it  until  it  grows  to  a  very  large  size,  and  attains  a  great  w^eight. 
Starting  small  in  this  way,  the  calculus  forms  a  pocket,  the  lining 
of  which  becomes  irritated,  not  enough  to  do  any  harm  but 
enough  to  set  up  a  sub-acute  inflammation  that  runs  into  a 
chronic.  The  result  is  cell  proliferation  of  connective  tissue 
which  forms  a  fibrous  pocket  which  gradually  becomes  accus- 
tomed to  the  growing  calculus.  The  calculus  does  no  particular 
harm  unless  it  rolls  out  of  the  pocket. 

The  "dust  balls"  usually  form  in  animals  feeding  on  mill 
cleanings  from  which  they  get  dust  and  chaff  of  various  kinds. 
These  balls  are  light  and  usually  round  and  of  a  black  color, — 
most  always  black.  Sometimes  these  balls  form  in  considerable 
numbers,  a  half  dozen  in  one  animal. 

Stricture. — In  this  condition  you  must  bear  in  mind  that  there 
is  likely  to  be  cell  proliferation  and  inflammation.  The  forma- 
tion of  fibrous  tissue  thickens  the  wall  of  the  intestines  and  de- 
stroys its  dilatability,  producing  more  or  less  stenosis.  Some  do 
not  reduce  the  size  of  the  tube  while  others  reduce  it  to  almost 
nothing.  Strictures  of  this  kind  might  produce  a  fatal  obstruc- 
tion in  the  bowels. 

Volvulus. — This  is  sometimes  called  gut-tie  or  gut-twist. 
The  word  means  a  turning  around.  There  are  two  ways  in  which 
the  volvulus  occurs:  1.  In  one  case  a  portion  of  the  intestine 
seems  to  turn  right  around  on  itself,  making  from  one  to  four 
turns;  this  is  fatal  by  strangulation.  2.  In  the  second  we  have 
a  rupture  of  the  mesentery  as  a  result  of  more  or  less  degenera- 
tion, and  in  this  degenerated  condition  if  the  horse  rolls,  a  por- 
tion of  the  bowel  passes  through  the  rupture  making  a  twist  on 
each  side  of  the  hernia.  This  causes  strangulation.  This  is 
fatal. 

Intussusception. — This  is  an  invagination  of  a  portion  of  a 
bowel  into  another  portion  of  itself.  This  apparently  should 
occur  often,  yet  it  does  not,  much  to  our  surprise.  It  never  oc- 
curs under  normal  conditions.  In  order  to  bring  it  about  there 
must  be  a  dilatation  of  a  part,  which  is  probably  due  to  a  minor 
amount  of  degeneration  with  relaxation,  naturally  causing  the 
wall  to  dilate.     When  this  takes  place,  the  motion  of  the  intes- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  137 

tinal  wall  forces  it  right  into  the  expanded  part.  It  is  seen  most 
often  in  the  ileum,  a  portion  of  which  slips  into  itself  or  passes 
out  through  the  ilio-c?ecal  valve  into  the  colon.  The  coecum 
sometimes  becomes  inverted  into  the  colon.  The  result  is  ob- 
struction of  the  bowel,  and  usually  strangulation  of  both  ends 
of  the  fold.  This  causes  death  through  gangrene  of  the  invag- 
inated  part. 

Horses  never  recover  from  intussusception,  but  cattle  some- 
times do.  Other  animals  do  not  recover.  It  is  always  fatal  in 
dogs.  People  sometimes  recover  in  the  same  way  as  cattle  do. 
This  condition  is  comparatively  common  in  babies  but  rare  in 
adults. 

Semeioiogy  of  Intestinal  Obstruction. — There  are  violent 
colicky  pains  and  the  case  grows  worse  in  spite  of  treatment. 
You  may  blunt  the  sensibilities  with  drugs  but  the  disease  grows 
steadily  worse.  Death  usually  takes  place  in  10-20  hours.  There 
is  a  profuse  perspiration ;  haggard  countenance ;  occasional  at- 
tempts to  vomit;  animal  is  inclined  to  sit  on  his  haunches; 
strains  as  if  trying  to  defecate ;  apt  to  stretch  a  good  deal ;  al- 
ways some  flatulence ;  before  death  he  becomes  quite  stupid. 

Treatment. — We  can  only  recommend  general  principles  and 
the  first  is  a  careful  examination  of  the  animal  in  hand,  espe- 
cially in  case  of  entire  males.  Stallions  have  been  treated  for 
colic  when  their  trouble  was  hernia.  When  a  stallion  has  colic 
always  examine  him  carefully  for  inguinal  hernia.  Give  oil 
ad  libatum,  a  quart  to  start  with  and  repeat  in  pint  doses  once  or 
twice  a  day.  Give  rectal  injections,  cannabis  indica,  choral  hy- 
drate, and  morphia  and  counter-irri^.ation  to  the  abdomen.  Give 
eserine,  arecolin  or  barium  chloride. 

Never  neglect  making  a  post-mortem  examination  on  all  ob- 
scure intestinal  affections. 

EA'ERSION  OF  THE  RECTUM. 

Definition. — This  is  a  protrusion  of  the  rectum  through-  the 
anus.  The  mucous  membrane  may  extend  out  from  the  size  of  a 
grape  to  several  feet.     It  occurs  in  all  animals.     In  parturient 


138  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

paresis  in  cows  the  rectum  has  been  known  to  extend  out  6  feet ; 
in  dogs  I  have  seen  it  protrude  1^  feet. 

Etiology. — Constipation  is  the  main  cause.  A  dry  season  in 
pasture  with  the  streams  dried  up,  dry  feed,  etc.,  too  Httle  water 
— these  conditions  cause  constipation  and  they  are  responsible 
for  the  results  of  it.  Diarrhoea  will  sometimes  cause  a  prolapsed 
rectum.  Empirical  treatment  of  colic  such  as  a  piece  of  soap 
inserted  in  the  anus,  cauterizing  it  and  thickening  it,  may  bring 
above  this  cnoidition. 

Treatment. — The  tail  must  be  bandaged  and  the  protruding 
part  be  washed  with  warm  water  and  milk,  to  which  has  been 
added  laudanum  14  ounce  to  the  pint.  Give  the  horse  a  liberal 
dose  of  chloral  hydrate.  2  ounces  for  a  1,200  pound  horse.  This 
treatment  will  not  paralyze  but  will  blunt  the  sensibilities  and 
relax  the  muscles  (sphincter).  Then  try  to  replace  the  pro- 
truding part,  using  especial  care  not  to  wound  the  tissues.  Use 
the  palm  of  the  hand.  If  the  protruding  portion  is  returned,  in- 
ject more  of  the  solution  (milk  and  water).  There  are  various 
means  employed  to  keep  the  rectum  in  place,  such  as  a  rope 
twisted  in  the  form  of  a  truss ;  some  take  two  crucial  stitches  in 
the  anus,  but  if  the  animal  strains  at  all  these  will  burst.  The 
best  way  is  to  keep  a  man  with  his  hand  upon  the  part  until  it 
stays  in  place.  This  is  expensive  but  it  is  the  only  practical  way. 
The  congestion  will  subside  in  3-4  hours,  although  it  may  take 
10.  The  laudanum  per  rectum  relieves  the  pain.  You  can  use 
an  ointment  composed  of  petrolatum  8  parts  and  opium  1  part. 
The  opium  will  overcome  the  peristalsis.  In  cows  and  dogs, 
when  the  bowels  have  been  exposed  for  some  time,  the  parts 
usually  become  gangrenous.  In  this  case  do  not  replace  the  gut, 
but  excise  the  protruded  part.  Cut  off  the  part  1]^  inches  out- 
side the  anus  and  then  pull  out  the  gut  to  get  at  the  normal 
part.  Cut  off  the  remaining  part  so  that  the  edges  are  normal 
tissue  and  suture  the  coats  together,  making  the  ridge  on  the 
inside,  being  careful  to  get  the  peritoneal  coats  in  a  position.  Use 
the  interrupted  stitch.  Before  sewing  sterilize  the  parts.  After 
replacing  pack  with  oakum.  Give  the  animal  sufficient  opium  to 
prevent  defecation  for  three  days.  Then  give  a  dose  of  oil  and 
enemata, 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  139 

HEMORRHOIDS. 

A  hemorrhoid  or  bleeding  pile  is  a  little  tumor  of  the  muc- 
ous membrane  due  to  interrupted  circulation  by  pressure  from 
fecal  matter.  The  fecal  matter  pressing  upon  the  gut  produces 
passive  congestion  in  a  localized  part  of  the  mucous  membrane. 
Constipation  is  always  the  cause  of  piles.  A  portion  of  the  anal 
rose  is  sometimes  caught  in  the  sphincter  and  pinched.  This 
interrupts  the  circulation  and  forms  external  piles,  li  the  piles 
are  on  the  inside  they  are  produced  by  the  hard  fecal  pellets. 
Internal  piles  become  chronic.  The  feces  rub  them  and  make 
them  bleed,  hence  the  hemorrhage. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  are  bleeding  and  painful  defeca- 
tion. The  horse  will  switch  his  tail  and  the  fecal  matter  is  cov- 
ered with  blood.  In  the  human  sometimes  a  severe  hemorrhage 
occurs.  The  anus  may  be  too  small  and  contracted,  making  de- 
fecation difficult.  If  the  feces  are  hard  great  harm  may  be 
done. 

When  internal  piles  become  chronic  there  is  so  much  irrita- 
tion that  it  leads  to  a  local  inflammation  of  the  rectal  follicles  an  I 
runs  through  the  first,  second  and  third  stages.  If  the  abscess 
is  not  treated  and  cured  it  will  ulcerate  and  perforate  the  bowel. 
In  the  horse  the  abscess  is  about  two  feet  deep ;  in  the  hog  3-5 
inches.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  hogs  and  in  the  human  to  see  an 
opening  on  each  side  of  the  anus.  In  the  horse  the  abscess  may 
contain  3-4  quarts  of  pus.  If  the  abscess  is  not  opened  it  will 
rupture  in  from  10-30  days  and  become  chronic.  This  is  called 
an  anal  fistula. 

Treatment. — First  overcome  the  constipation.  This  is  often 
very  difficult,  especially  in  the  human.  In  the  domestic  animals, 
loosen  the  bowels  with  oil  and  then  diet.  Give  dose  (big)  of 
chloral  hydrate;  after  a  half  hour  dilate  the  anus  with  a  specu- 
lum and  explore.  If  hemorrhoids  are  found,  remove.  Use  anti- 
septic solutions  for  10  days  and  keep  the  bowels  open.  Give 
salol.  In  case  of  external  piles,  remove  in  the  same  way,  put- 
ting back  only  as  a  last  resort.  Sulphur  ointments  should  be 
applied  after  each  defecation.  In  the  human  astringents  are  re- 
lied upon  but  they  are  not  much  good. 


140  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

Imperforated  anus  sometimes  occurs.  The  foetus  may  be  born 
with  the  skin  closed  over  the  anus.  In  such  case  cut  through 
and  open  up  the  rectum.  Sometimes  the  rectum  has  to  be  sewed 
to  the  anus. 

RUPTURE  OF  THE  INTESTINAL  WALL. 

Rupture  of  the  intestinal  wall  occurs  occasionally  but  not 
as  often  as  rupture  of  the  stomach.  It  is  usually  caused  by  flat- 
ulence.  The  'flrst  attack  very  seldom  ruptures  a  bowel  and  not 
very  often  the  stomach,  but  repeated  attacks  lead  to  degeneration 
of  some  part  which  finally  ruptures  with  much  less  provocation 
than  may  have  existed  some  time  before.  The  rectum  is  some- 
times ruptured  by  reckless  force  used  in  back-raking. 

Semeiology. — There  are  no  diagnostic  symptoms  of  this 
trouble  but  there  will  be  pretty  nearly  the  same  symptoms  as 
occur  in  case  of  rupture  of  the  stomach.  These  are  great  nerv- 
ous prostration ;  a  small  weak,  rapid,  hard  pulse  which  finally 
gets  wiry  and  imperceptible ;  animal  sweats  in  patches ;  sits  on 
his  haunches.  When  the  rupture  is  in  the  rectum  there  is  usu- 
ally violent  straining  and  the  animal  dies  from  syncope.  Death 
usually  occurs  in  from  2-10  or  even  20  hours. 

The  only  positive  proof  of  rupture  of  the  bowel  is  the  post 
mortem. 

Naturally  there  is  no  special  treatment  but  since  there  are  no 
diagnostic  symptoms  you  have  to  treat  the  case  until  the  animal 
dies. 

ENTERITIS. 

Enteritis  is  an  inflammation  of  either  the  small  or  large  bowel. 
We  consider  enteritis  as  a  true  inflammation  but  there  are  author- 
ities, writers  and  text-books  that  consider  it  more  in  the  light  of 
apoplexy.  It  usually  comes  on  suddenly,  runs  a  rapid  course 
and  terminates  fatally.  We  do  not  believe  that  any  cases  of  this 
disease  ever  recover  but  there  are  practitioners  who  claim  to 
have  cured  many  cases  of  it.  Probably  their  cases  were  pro- 
long-ed  cases  of  colic,  perhaps  with  local  irritation  just  develop- 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  141 

ing  prior  to  the  removal  of  the  cause.  It  often  affects  primarily 
the  mucous  coat  and  extends  outward  to  the  muscular  coat  and 
then  the  serous.  The  ordinary  case  runs  it  course  in  6-20  hours 
and  dies.  The  inflammation  is  so  violent  and  severely  acute  as 
to  produce  rupture  of  the  capillaries  with  more  or  less  hemor- 
rhage by  rhexis.  This  results  in  extensive  extravasations  and 
great  tumefaction.  In  the  sheep,  cow,  and  human  cases  of  en- 
teritis may  recover,  but  in  the  horse  I  think  never. 

Semciology. — At  first  there  is  dullness  and  slight  uneasiness ; 
the  horse  hangs  his  head,  refuses  his  food,  turns  his  head  and 
looks  around  to  one  side ;  he  soon  develops  fever ;  breathing  ac- 
celerated ;  pulse  increases  in  frequency  and  hardness ;  abdominal 
muscles  are  more  or  less  contracted,  for  which  reason  the  breath- 
ing will  be  more  or  less  shallow ;  pain  upon  pressing  the  belly. 
The  horse  will  lie  down,  roll,  kick  and  sweat,  but  in  lying  down 
he  usually  goes  down  very  carefully, — unlike  a  horse  with  colic. 
Fever  runs  up  to  104  or  105.  The  mucous  membranes  get  very 
much  injected  and  cyanotic. 

When  the  horse  passes  feces,  which  may  be  in  the  rectum,  at 
the  time  of  defecation,  you  will  notice  that  the  lining  is  very 
dark  red.  The  animal  develops  a  haggard,  anxious  countenance. 
After  a  severe  case  has  been  in  progress  for  4-5  hours,  the  pulse 
becomes  rapid,  small  and  hard,  running  somewhere  between  70 
and  100.  The  horse  ceases  to  lie  down  and  walks  continually 
if  he  is  loose,  with  head  elevated,  eyes  dazed,  and  stopping  occa- 
sionally ai)d  sighing.  When  a  horse  sighs,  it  is  almost  a  sure 
sign  of  a  fatal  termination.  Horses  never  sigh  except  in  the 
late  stages  of  disease.  The  extremities  get  cold,  horse  gets  stupid 
and  loses  sensibility  to  great  extent.  If  the  enteritis  is  in  the 
small  bowel  the  animal  will  sometimes  vomit  or  try  to ;  as  death 
approaches,  the  mucous  membranes  get  Hvid ;  he  finally  stops, 
stands  quietly,  pain  seems  to  cease;  pulse  100-120,  probably 
imperceptible  at  the  jaw;  breathing  rapid,  shallow,  and  the  ex- 
pired air  cold;  he  sweats  in  patches  and  the  muscles  tremble. 
We  presume  that  gangrene  has  set  in  and  the  horse  is  only  wait- 
ing to  die  from  nervous  prostration.  I  do  not  think  that  such 
a  case  lives  long  enough  to  die  from  septicemia.  The  horse 
stands  as  long  as  he  can  until  weakness  overcomes  him  and  then 


142  ,  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

he  drops  and  soon  dies.  He  may  live  48-60  hours  with  this 
disease  but  an  ordinary  case  will  run  its  course  and  terminate 
in  6  hours  after  the  first  symptoms  are  visible. 

Post  Mortem. — Upon  opening  the  bowel  there  is  found 
patches  of  ecchymosis  on  the  serous  covering.  The  wall  is 
greatly  thickened  in  the  average  case  ^  to  ^  inches.  The 
contents  of  the  bowel  are  semi-fluid  and  bloody.  This  blood  is 
from  hemorrhag-e  by  rhexis.  The  thickened  bowel  wall  will  be 
infiltrated  with  serum  and  lymph.  On  the  surface  of  the  mucous 
membrane  there  will  be  a  gelatinous  coat  of  more  or  less  coagu- 
lated lymph.  The  general  appearance  of  the  mucous  membrane 
is  very  dark  red,  almiost  black.  Other  animals  suffering  from 
enteritis  are  usually  very  quiet,  semi-stupid  as  it  were.  Pulse 
and  temperature  run  about  the  same  as  in  the  horse. 

Treatment. — It  is  difficult  to  prescribe  rationally  for  enter- 
itis for  there  are  antagonizing  conditions.  Our  best  efforts,  how- 
ever, should  be  directed  toward  removing  the  cause  in  the  hope 
that  if  we  succeed  the  effects  will  cease.  As  a  logical  reasoning 
for  this  conclusion,  we  will  say  that  whatever  the  cause  of  enter- 
itis is  if  it  is  not  removed,  the  horse  will  die.  Consequently  we 
want  to  get  a  free  evacuation  of  the  bowels  and  we  treat  as  for 
constipation.  Give  oil  in  liberal  quantities  and  eserine  and  are- 
colin.  Give  rectal  injections,  liberal  counter-irritation,  alcoholic 
stimulants,  give  anodynes  liberally,  such  as  chloral  hydrate,  can- 
nabis indica,  etc.,  morphia  not  being  so  much  indicated.  In  other 
animals  besides  the  horse,  opium  is  used  freely,  to  quiet  the 
bowel  and  suspend  peristalsis  and  then  give  attention  to  reducing 
the  fever.  Such  antipyretics  as  acetanilid  are  good,  but  in  the 
horse  the  disease  runs  such  a  rapid  course  that  we  have  not  time 
for  the  drugs  to  act.  We  rely  chiefly  upon  removing  the  cause 
and  evacuating  the  bowels.  It  is  always  advisable  to  make  a 
post  mortem  in  a  case  of  enteritis,  especially  so  as  to  convince 
the  owner  that  it  was  impossible  to  save  the  animal. 

In  mild  cases  such  remedies  as  camphor,  aconite  and  bella- 
donna are  indicated.  Bleeding  has  been  resorted  to  and  has 
been  found  useless. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  143 

PERITONITIS. 

Peritonitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  peritoneum,  the  lining 
membrane  of  the  abdominal  cavity.  It  covers  the  mesentery  and 
is  reflected  over  the  intestines.  This  serous  membrane  becomes 
inflamed  and  the  inflammation  runs  close  to  pleurisy.  The  stages 
are  the  same.  Two  forms  of  peritonitis  exist,  acute  and 
chronic.  The  acute  form  runs  its  course  in  about  10  days,  the 
chronic  may  run  along  for  months. 

Etiology. — The  most  common  cause  is  traumatism  with  in- 
fection. External  violence,  kicks  from  other  horses  for  in- 
stance, especially  those  severe  enough  to  produce  ventral  hernia ; 
exposure  to  cold  and  dampness ;  strongylus  armatus ;  starvation ; 
old  age  (no  appreciable  cause  known), — these  are  the  main 
causes  of  peritonitis.  In  the  third  stage  of  peritonitis  the  effu- 
sion accumulates  in  the  abdominal  cavity  and  this  condition  is 
called  ascites.  Ascites  may  be  due  to  chronic  kidney  and  liver 
diseases  without  peritonitis,  it  being  a  dropsy  from  obstruction 
of  the  portal  circulation  or  from  defective  secretion  of  the  urine. 
It  is  sometimes  tuberculous  in  cattle,  and  often  follows  castra- 
tions and  abdominal  operations. 

Semeiology. — Pain  is  severe  but  the  animal  is  comparatively 
quiet.  Motion  aggravates  the  pain  so  that  instead  of  rolling  and 
tossing  and  kicking,  the  horse  is  quiet.  His  back  is  more  or  less 
arched;  abdominal  muscles  fixed;  pulse  and  temperature  up, 
temperature  about  104,  pulse  60-100;  pulse  hard  and  small;  pres- 
sure upon  the  belly  causes  pain.  In  the  third  stage  the  exudate 
is  profuse.  This  is  difficult  to  recognize  as  the  distension  of  the 
belly  is  not  marked.  The  legs  swell ;  dropsical  enlargement  under 
the  belly  is  usually  seen  but  not  always.  The  mucous  mem- 
branes are  first  injected  and  later  get  pale;  emaciation  is  rapid. 
The  prognosis  is  usually  unfavorable  when  the  disease  is  exten- 
sive enough  to  be  appreciable. 

Post  Mortem. — Fatal  cases  of  peritonitis  have  ascites  so  that 
the  post  mortem  will  show  much  serum  in  the  abdominal  cavity. 
This  varies  in  color  from  amber  to  red,  depending  upon  the 
acuteness  of  the  attack.  The  peritoneum  is  generally  red  over 
most  of  the  surface,  is  softened  and  easily  torn  or  punctured. 


144  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

In  a  chronic  case  you  will  usually  find  the  heart,  liver  or  kidney 
diseased. 

Treatment. — We  can  prescribe  for  this  condition  in  a  ration- 
al manner.  Control  the  fever  with  acetanilid,  keep  it  down  be- 
low two.  Apply  counter-irritants  freely  and  repeat.  A  sina- 
pism 2  or  3  times  a  day  is  the  best  local  application.  Give  mor- 
phine hypodermically  and  give  a  stimulant  with  liberal  doses  of 
aconite,  quinine  and  belladonna.  Keep  the  animal  quiet ;  bear  in 
mind  that  motion  aggravates  the  trouble  as  well  as  increases  the 
pain. 

Death  from  castration  is  usually  due  to  septic  peritonitis. 
Following  a  case  of  this  kind  you  will  usually  have  a  swelling  of 
the  sheath  and  extreme  redness  of  the  wound.  In  addition  to 
internal  treatment  and  mustard  on  the  belly,  bathe  the  swollen 
parts  freely  and  insert  a  disinfected  hand  up  into  the  inguinal 
canal  twice  a  day  or  so  to  make  sure  it  is  kept  open. 

DYSENTERY. 

Dysentery  is  known  as  bloody  flux.  It  is  an  inflammatory 
disease  affecting  the  intestines  and  floating  colon.  The  fever  is 
of  the  same  character  as  typhoid — a  low  prostrating  form  of 
fever.  The  discharges  from  the  bowels  are  fluid,  and  contain 
an  excess  of  mucous  with  some  blood  and  pus  and  much  fetor. 
These  evacuations  are  accompanied  by  tenesmus  of  the  rectum. 

Etiology. — The  animal  has  a  predisposition,  i.  e.,  is  weak  con- 
stitutionally. The  cause  is  probably  specific.  Some  think  that 
malaria  is  a  cause.  Dysentery  is  most  commonly  seen  in  cattle 
which  are  pastured  on  land  overflowed  with  water  or  on  hay  cut 
from  such  land.  The  hay  contains  much  sand  and  no  doubt 
many  germs,  some  of  a  specific  character  and  these  may  be  the 
cause  of  the  dysentery.  The  feed  should  be  examined  for 
molds,  animal  parasites,  and  bacteria. 

Semciology. — Dysentery  starts  as  a  diarrhoea,  but  with  a 
temperature  of  about  2  degrees.  The  prostration  is  greater  than 
in  diarrhoea.  The  coat  is  staring;  almost  complete  loss  of  ap- 
petite ;  excessive  thirst ;  tenesmus  of  the  rectum ;  back  arched, 
all  four  feet  brought  nearer  each  other;  tail  cocked,  head  low- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  145 

ered ;  involuntary  cramps  and  straining ;  fecal  matter  is  largely  a 
jelly-like  substance  streaked  with  blood  and  has  a  fetid  odor. 
This  is  due  to  the  degeneration  of  the  mucous  follicles  in  the  rec- 
tum which  are  ulcerated.  The  molecular  death  (decomposition ) 
causes  the  stench ;  sulphuretted  hydrogen  gas  is  formed.  The 
tissues  blacken  a  silver  probe. 

Prognosis. — There  is  a  tendency  to  a  fatal  termination.  The 
diagnosis  should  be  guarded.  If  the  disease  lasts  a  week  or  ten 
days  marasmus  takes  place,  emaciation  and  nervous  prostration 
develop  very  rapidly  and  death  results  from  collapse. 

Post  Mortem. — The  lining  of  the  rectum  is  of  a  purple  color 
and  very  much  swollen ;  it  shows  numerous  little  elevations  which 
upon  closer  examination  prove  to  be  ulcers.  They  look  like 
papules.  In  young  stock  there  would  be  general  pallor  of  all 
the  membranes. 

Treatment. — Prescribe  a  complete  change  of  food.  This  is 
all  important.  Give  the  best  obtainable  food  and  see  that  the 
water  is  pure.  Give  linseed  tea  with  a  little  bicarbonate  of  soda. 
Laxatives  are  not  indicated.  Quiet  the  rectum  by  starch  and 
laudanum  injections  with  a  10  per  cent  solution  of  boracic  acid 
added.  Give  opium  internally  by  mouth  and  tonic  doses  of 
quinine.  Salol  and  bismuth  are  good  remedies.  Allay  cramps 
by  hypodermic  injections  of  morphine.  Chloroform  combined 
with  opium  and  camphor  are  indicated. 

It  is  all  important  to  give  attention  to  hygiene. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   ABDOMINAL  GLANDS. 

LIVER-SPLEEN-PANCREAS. 

Diseases  of  the  liver  in  the  lower  animals  are  less  common 
than  in  the  human,  but  when  they  do  exist  they  are  probably  just 
as  serious.  The  lower  animals  lead  more  natural  lives  and  are 
less  given  to  dissipation  and  therefore  they  are  less  given  to  dis- 
ease. They  are  accustomed  to  eat  what  is  given  them  and  drink 
what  is  provided  them  and  keep  more  natural  hours.  In  the 
human  this  is  very  different.  Many  of  the  liver  diseases  in  the 
human  arise  from  alcoholic  drinks  in  excess. 


146  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

The  phenomena  of  the  Hver  diseases  are  as  follows: 

1.  Jaundice  or  icterus.     This  is  a  general 

yellowness  of  all  parts  of  the  body. 
It  shows  in  the  visible  mucous  mem- 
branes and  in  the  skin,  i.  e.,  in  the  hu- 
man. 

2.  Lameness — in   very   serious   acute   dis- 

eases of  the  liver  the  horse  oftentimes 
is  lame  in  his  right  forward  quarter, 
Occasionally  he  has  colicky  pains. 

3.  Bilious  diarrhoea,  if  the  liver  is  work- 

ing excessively. 

4.  Feces  gray,  in  case  of  torpidity  of  the 

liver. 

5.  General  listlessness. 

6.  Diarrhoea. 

CONGESTION  OF  THE  LIVER. 

We  recognize  three  congestions  of  the  liver : 

1.  Active  congestion,  involving  the  hepatic 

arterial  system, — the  nutrient  system. 

2.  Passive  congestion,  involving  the  venous 

or  portal  system. 

3.  Biliary  congestion. 

Bear  in  mind  that  there  are  two  distinct  circulations  in  the 
liver,  the  arterial  and  the  portal  or  biliary. 

In  the  hepatic  arterial  system  we  find  that  there  is  an  in- 
creased flow  of  blood  to  the  normal  liver  during  the  active  stage 
of  digestion.  This  is  normal  of  course,  but  in  disease  there  is 
an  excess  of  blood  at  other  times  than  that  of  digestion. 

Etiology  of  Active  Congestion.— Ovev-ietdrng  on  nitrogenous 
food  is  a  principle  cause.  This  makes  an  animal  plethoric.  This 
alone  without  any  exciting  cause  is  liable  to  develop  hepatic  ar- 
terial congestion  at  any  time.  Exercise,  especially  when  an  ani- 
mal is  in  a  gross  condition  during  hot  weather  excites  a  condition 
of  congestion.  It  is  seen  in  horses  that  are  pampered  and  very 
liberally  fed  and  more  or  less  idle.     Over-feeding  with  too  little 


Of  veterinary  medicine.  147 

work  results  in  rupture  of  some  of  the  smaller  blood  vessels  of 
the  liver  and  as  a  consequence  hemorrhage.  This  hemorrhage 
is  not  sufficient  to  do  any  harm  with  a  first  or  second  attack,  for 
the  ruptured  vessels  heal  and  the  clot  becomes  absorbed,  leaving 
an  anaemic  patch,  usually  white.  These  patches  can  be  seen  on 
the  surface  of  the  liver  under  the  capsule.  These  may  vary  in 
size  from  V^  inch  to  %  inch  in  diameter.  They  are  old  chronic 
infarcts.  These  are  common  in  old  cattle  and  occasionally  in 
horses. 

In  a  more  severe  case  rupture  of  the  larger  blood  vessels  oc- 
curs; the  hemorrhage  is  greater,  and  if  it  is  a  third  or  subsequent 
attack,  degeneration  takes  place  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  Con- 
sequently the  infarction  and  hemorrhage  are  greater.  Sometimes 
rupture  of  the  capsule  takes  place  with  a  fatal  internal  hemorr- 
hage. 

Etiology  of  Passive  Congestion  (Porta!). — This  depends 
mostly  upon  enervation,  that  is,  nervous  prostration  of  the 
animal.  This  is  the  principal  cause  of  portal  congestion.  General 
enervation  is  seen  in  influenza,  pneumonia  and  in  other  affections. 
The  liver  gets  torpid  and  does  not  work  as  actively  as  it  should. 
The  bile  is  not  secreted  in  proper  quantity  and  biUary  capillaries 
become  congested,  probably  as  a  result  of  defective  cardiac  power. 
The  congestion  produces  pressure  upon  the  liver  lobules,  inter- 
fering with  the  outward  flow  of  the  bile  through  the  minute  bile 
ducts. 

In  case  of  pneumonia  there  is  a  different  pathogenesis. 
There  is  a  defective  cardiac  power.  In  all  bad  cases  of  pneumonia 
there  is  more  or  less  obstruction  of  the  arterial  circulation  in  the 
lungs.  This  is  especially  so  in  the  third  stage,  and  the  obstructed 
circulation  dams  up  the  outlet  and  leads  to  dilatation  of  the  right 
ventricle,  which  in  turn  prevents  the  blood  from  leaving  the  liver. 
Consequently  in  most  cases  of  pneumonia  on  about  the  fourth  day 
we  get  considerable  jaundice. 

In  chronic  diseases  of  the  kidneys  there  is  an  insufficiency  of 
secreting  substance,  and  consequently  an  insufficient  secretion  of 
the  urine.     This  leads  to  ascites. 

Biliary  Congestion. — Biliary  congestion  occurs  secondary  to 
the  active  or  the  passive.     It  is  a  direct  result  of  pressure  upon 


148  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

the  lobules  and  bile  ducts.     Then  absorption  of  the  bile  takes  place 
and  we  get  a  jaundiced  condition. 

Post  Mortem. — In  passive  and  biliary  congestions  the  liver 
is  darker  than  normal, — in  streaks  or  in  spots,  usually  in  streaks. 
There  are  fine  yellow  markings.  These  are  the  surcharged  bil- 
iary ducts. 

Semeiology. — Listlessness  is  an  important  symptom.  In  ac- 
tive congestion  pressure  over  the  region  of  the  liver  will  often 
cause  pain.  The  horse  or  other  animal  will  try  to  get  away  from 
one.  Jaundiced  mucous  membranes  are  a  sign ;  feces  are  usually 
dry,  or  after  a  period  of  constipation  there  may  be  a  slight  diar- 
rhoea; mouth  coated  and  has  a  soapy  feel  and  a  sour  smell.  In 
bad  cases  the  animal  grinds  his  teeth.  In  chronic  cases  the  ani- 
mal is  hungry  for  salines.  He  will  eat  dirt,  lick  the  wall,  and 
chew  the  manger.  Pulse  and  temperature  will  not  vary  much 
from  the  normal,  unless  the  trouble  is  secondary  to  some  other 
disease.  In  bad  cases  the  appetite  is  poor  and  the  animal  gets 
unthriftv. 

Treatment. — Treat  according  to  the  cause.  If  the  hepatic 
disturbance  is  secondary  to  some  other  disease,  treat  the  original 
disease.  If  the  original  trouble  is  in  the  liver,  let  the  treatment 
center  there.  In  case  of  a  fat  horse,  let  him  fast.  Give  him  a 
purgative,  calomel  and  bicarbonate  of  soda.  When  you  get  re- 
sults from  these  begin  on  some  acid  mixture,  nitric  acid.  If 
there  is  no  anaemia,  give  sulphate  of  soda  night  and  morning  for 
a  week  or  two  and  regulate  the  diet  and  exercise. 

HEPATITIS. 

Hepatitis  is  inflammation  of  the  liver.  It  runs  through  the 
three  stages  of  inflammation  and  goes  on  to  suppuration  in  the 
form  of  liver  abscesses.  This  condition  cannot  be  diagnosed  dur- 
ing life. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  are  general  unthriftiness ;  lan- 
guor, animal  unable  to  do  much ;  the  disease  does  not  usually  kill 
unless  the  abscess  is  large  and  ruptures  internally.  If  the  inter- 
nal rupture  takes  place,  the  disease  will  terminate  in  pyaemia  in 
fifty  to  a  hundred  days. 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  149 

I 

Post  Mortem. — The  capsule  of  the  liver  is  thickened  due  to 
cell  proliferation.  The  interlobular  connective  tissues  is  also 
thickened.  Liver  abscesses  are  usually  associated  with  some 
other  disease  as  glanders,  strangles,  etc. 

CHRONIC  HEPATITIS. 

This  is  seen  in  one  or  two  degenerations  of  the  organ,  viz. 
cirrhosis  and  fatty  degeneration.  Cirrhosis  of  the  liver  is  the 
result  of  a  subacute  running  into  a  chronic  inflammation  of  the 
liver,  affecting  the  interlobular  fibrous  connective  tissue.  The 
liver  is  large  and  hardened  and  the  edges  are  rounded  and  thick- 
ened. The  color  is  lighter  than  normal,  more  of  a  bluish  color 
than  the  usual  brick  red.  This  condition  is  found  in  old  animals 
which  are  starving  because  their  teeth  are  too  poor  to  grind  the 
food  given  them. 

Special  Pathology. — Hypertrophy  of  the  connective  tissue  pro- 
duces pressure  upon  the  biliary  ducts  and  lobules  and  as  a  result 
we  find  yellow  markings  through  the  liver.  The  liver  is  brown 
in  patches  and  the  lobules  are  anaemic.  The  capsule  is  as  hard 
as  cartilage.  This  produces  pressure  upon  the  veins  and  portal 
circulation  causing  ascites.  The  word  cirrhosis  comes  from  the 
Greek  kirros,  meaning  orange-yellow  and  refers  to  the  yellow 
condition  of  the  Hver  which  is  the  result  of  the  'fibrous  condition. 
This  hardening  may  be  applied  to  any  organ  but  it  more  properly 
belongs  to  the  liver.  The  hypertrophy  of  the  connective  tissue 
may  produce  atrophy  of  the  parenchyma,  that  is,  the  epithelial 
cells  which  make  up  the  lobules.  It  is  often  the  primary  lesion 
of  ascites  of  old  dogs. 

Treatment. — This  should  be  directed  toward  putting  the  ani- 
mal in  a  better  condition.  Attend  to  its  teeth,  give  him  better 
and  more  easily  digested  food;  give  him  potassium  acid  tartrate 
in  his  feed. 


150  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

FATTY  DEGENERATION. 

Fatty  degeneration  of  the  liver  occurs  in  fat-pampered  horses 
and  dogs.  The  liver  of  a  dog  with  ascites  may  be  five  times  the 
natural  size.  In  such  a  case  the  liver  is  large,  soft  and  yellow 
and  there  is  jaundice.     The  dog  is  fat  and  weak. 

Treatment. — Reduce  the  artificial  heat;  decrease  the  amount 
of  food  and  increase  the  work  gradually.  Sheep  develop  fatty 
degeneration  if  fed  on  non-nitrogenous  food,  such  as  white  tur- 
nips. In  such  a  case  prescribe  pea-meal  and  oats.  The  liver  is 
large  and  yellow;  miscropical  examination  shows  fat  globules 
in  the  liver  cells ;  many  of  the  lobules  are  transformed  into  fat. 
The  animal  may  die  from  fatty  degeneration  of  the  liver  at- 
tended by  a  rapid  loss  of  flesh  and  strength  following  a  prior 
period  of  thriftiness. 

ICTERUS. 

Icterus  is  a  yellow  condition  of  the  whole  system.  This  is 
caused  by  two  factors:  1.  Suppression  (non-secretion  of  the 
bile)  ;  2.  Reabsorption  of  the  bile.  These  two  conditions  may  be 
differentiated  by  the  presence  or  absence  of  biliary  acids  in  the 
urine.  These  are  glycocholic  and  taurocholic  acids.  When  these 
acids  are  found  in  the  urine  they  are  a  sure  sign  of  reabsorption 
of  the  bile ;  when  they  are  absent  from  the  urine,  it  means  that  no 
bile  has  been  secreted  by  the  liver,  that  is,  suppression. 

Test  for  Biliary  Acids  in  the  Urine. — Put  a  dram  of  urine  in 
a  test-tube  and  in  it  dissolve  a  little  cane  sugar.  To  this  add 
carefully  so  as  not  to  mix  a  dram  of  sulphuric  acid,  holding  the 
tube  slanting  ?o  that  the  acid  passes  down  under  the  urine.  If 
biliary  acids  are  present,  a  deep  purple  band  will  form  between 
the  urine  and  the  sulphuric  acid ;  if  not,  a  brown  band  will  form. 
In  case  the  acids  are  present  it  is  a  sure  indication  of  obstructed 
bile  ducts  and  a  consequent  reabsorption.  If  the  brown  band  is 
the  reaction,  then  this  is  a  sign  of  suppression. 

Etiology  of  Suppression. — Enervation  is  an  important  factor. 
It  occurs  in  the  disordered  hepatic  circulation  of  cirrhosis,  in 
tuberculosis,  actinomycosis,  fatty  degeneration,  etc, 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  151 

Etiology  of  Reabsorption. — This  condition  is  clue  to  obstruc- 
tion of  the  bile  channels.     The  obstruction  may  be : 

1.  Ductus   choledochous — biliary   calculus. 

2.  Tumefaction  of  the  mucous  membrane 

of  the  duodenum,  probably  from  local 
inflammation,  obstructing  the  outlet 
of  the  duct. 

3.  Stenosis — stricture  and  obliteration  of 

the  duct. 

4.  Tumors  in  the  duct. 

5.  Pressure  upon  the  duct  from  without. 

6.  Parasites.     The    ones    most    commonly 

found  are  the  ascaris  megalocephalus 
and  the  fasciola  heptaica.       The  first 
is  found  in  the  horse,  ox  and  sheep ; 
the  other  found  in  any  animal. 
Seme'wlogy. — In  absorption  of  the  bile  there  is  general  yel- 
lowness of  all  parts  of  the  body.     The  icterus  is  much  greater 
than  when  due  to  suppression.     The  urine  is  high-colored ;  feces 
gray  and  offensive ;  mouth  feels  pasty  and  soapy ;  smells  sour ; 
usually  a  loss  of  appetite,  not  always,   in  bad  cases  the  tem- 
perature rises  on  the  3rd  day :  by  the  5th  day  the  temperature 
will  be  up  to  106;  pulse  increasing  slowly,  60  by  the  5th  day; 
itching  of  the  skin,  horse  rubs  himself  raw  in  patches ;  skin  gets 
thick  and  wrmkly;  scurfy  with  desquamation  of  the  epidermis. 
On  the  neck  the  skin  lies  in  rolls  size  of  finger.     There  is  a  dis- 
tinct labored  action  of  the  right  shoulder.     There  is  constipation 
and  the  urine  is  scanty,  syrupy  and  golden  colored.     The  animal 
becomes  emaciated,  anaemic  and  finally  dies  from  blood  poison- 
ing. 

In  suppression  there  is  a  less  yellowness  of  the  mucous  mem- 
branes, and  even  this  is  pretty  much  the  only  symptom  except  in 
chronic  cases  due  to  absence  of  secreting  substance,  then  there  is 
general  unthriftiness. 

Treatment. — In  reabsorption  get  rid  of  the  obstruction.  Pur- 
gation is  indicated;  for  a  horse  of  1,600  prescribe  six  powders  of 
calomel  (1  dram)  and  bicarbonate  soda  (1  dram),  one  powder 
every  two  hours.     Give  these  powders  while  the  horse  is  fasting. 


152  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

then  two  hours  after  the  last  powder  give  1  ounce  of  aloes.  Let 
the  horse  have  plenty  of  water,  but  nothing  to  eat.  Twenty 
hours  after  giving  the  ball  let  him  have  soft  feed  and  hay.  When 
the  purgation  ceases  give  alterative  doses  of  magnesia  sulphate, 
or  soda  sulphate,  night  and  morning  for  two  weeks  and  then  start 
in  on  quinine  and  nitro-muriatic  acid  with  nux  vomica. 

Quinine    Sulphate    2^^   drams 

Ac.    Nitro-Mur 1       dram 

Aqua  q.  s 1       pint 

M.   Sig. — Give   1   ounce   two   or   three   times   a   day 

one-half  hour  before  feeding,  with  the  object  of 

dissolving  any  biliary  calculi. 

Do  something  for  the  itching.  Acetic  acid  dilute  (1  ounce) 
to  a  pint  of  water  will  make  a  good  lotion.  When  applying, 
leave  wet.  In  hot  weather  put  on  a  sheet;  in  cold,  a  blanket. 
Tie  the  animal  so  that  he  cannot  rub.  The  absorption  of  the  bile 
into  the  blood  poisons  it  and  causes  the  itching. 

In  case  sheep  suffer  from  flukes,  change  to  a  higher  better 
drained  pasture. 

Spleen, 

The  spleen  is  subject  to  the  various  organic  changes  which 
take  place  in  other  tissues,  such  as  congestion,  inflammation, 
atrophy,  hypertrophy,  thrombosis,  tuberculosis,  carcinoma,  mela- 
nosis, etc.     The  symptom^  of  disease  of  the  spleen  are  negative. 

Case  of  Lymphadcnoma  in  a  Horse. — The  case  was  a  draft 
stallion  weighing  2,200  pounds,  aged  5  years.  He  was  sold  in 
February  and  began  serving  in  April  and  did  good  service  up  to 
June.  The  animal  began  getting  languid  and  listless  and  in  a 
month's  time  would  not  serve  at  all.  He  got  cross  and  irritable, 
lazy,  and  emaciation  set  in.  He  ran  down  rapidly.  He  died  the 
last  of  July  a  mere  skeleton.  The  post  mortem  revealed  a  spleen 
weighing  about  60  pounds.  The  organ  was  6  inches  thick  and 
the  surface  was  studded  with  numerous  little  tumors  which  ap- 
peared to  be  fibrous  tissue.  The  horse  was  sold  as  a  sound  ani- 
mal ;  suit  was  instigated  to  recover,  but  the  owner  lost. 


OF  VETERIXARY  MEDICINE.  153 

PANCREAS. 

The  pancreas  is  most  commonly  affected  with  fatty  degenera- 
tion, but  that  is  very  seldom.  One  of  the  evidences  is  fat  in  the 
feces,  probably  due  to  faulty  action  of  the  pancreatic  juice. 

The  symptoms  are  indefinite  and  are  not  diagnostic.  The 
animal  is  anaemic  and  shows  irritability  anvl  dic;s  much  emaciated 
from  collapse. 

CONSTITUTIONAL  OR  BLOOD    DISEASES. 

A  constitutional  disease  is  one  in  which  the  whole  system  or 
blood  is  affected  primarily,  and  if  the  disease  localizes  itself  it 
does  so  secondarily.  The  exogenous  diseases  are  contagious ;  the 
endogenous  are  non-contagious. 

The  word  "contagious"  refers  to  a  disease  that  is  due  to  a 
specific  virus  peculiar  to  the  disease  itself.  The  agent  of  the 
disease  is  called  the  contagium. 

If  an  animal  is  affected  with  a  contagious  disease,  the  spe- 
ci'iic  virus  of  that  disease  inoculated  into  another  susceptible  ani- 
mal will  produce  the  disease.  There  are  different  means  of  in- 
oculation : 

1.  Artificial — scarify  the   skin  and  intro- 

duce the  virus. 

2.  Natural — exposure  through  the  alimen- 

tary tract,  respiratory,  or  through  any 
mucous   membrane  or   abraided   sur- 
face, or  accidental  wound. 
The  contagium  or  specific  virus  in  most  contagious  diseases 
is  a  known  micro-organism — an  animal  parasite  (protozoon")  or  a 
vegetable  parasite   (bacterium).     In  not  all  contagious  diseases 
has  the  specific  virus  been  found.     In  such  cases  we  cannot  call 
the  causal  agent  a  micro-organism,  and  yet  we  can  reasonably 
presume  it  to  be  one  or  else  the  disease  would  not  be  specific. 

As  regards  the  difference  between  bacteria  and  protozooa, 
Sternberg  gives  a  concise  definition:  The  animal  organism,  that 
is  a  protozoon,  receives  food  particles  into  the  interior  of  the 
body  assimilating  the  nutritious  portion,  and   subsequently  ex- 


154  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

truding  the  non-nutritious  residue.  A  vegetable  organism  is 
nourished  through  the  cell  wall,  which  encloses  the  protoplasm, 
by  organic  or  inorganic  substances  held  in  solution.  This  defi- 
nition allows  the  vegetable  organism  both  organic  and  inorganic 

food. 

The  discovery  of  the  various  agents  of  contagious  diseases  has 
produced  the  germ  theory.     This  is  as  follows : 

When  a  specific  germ  of  a  specific  disease  is  inoculated  into  a 
healthy  animal,  it  will  produce  that  same  specific  disease  and  no 
other.  •  The  period  of  incubation  is  the  time  elapsing  between  the 
inoculation  and  the  first  physical  signs  of  the  disease.  This  may 
be  called  the  incubative  stage. 

VARIOLA. 

Variola  is  a  specific  disease  affecting  all  higher  animal  life,  but 
each  species  of  animal  has  its  own  kind  of  variola  and  this  is 
communicable  to  all  other  species.  The  human  variola  is  the 
small  pox ;  equine  is  the  horse  pox ;  bovine,  cow  pox  or  vaccina ; 
then  we  have  goat  pox,  pig  pox,  chicken  pox,  etc.,  but  every  pox 
is  contagious. 

Course. — Variola  runs  through  four  definite  stages;  viz.  1. 
Pimple ;  2.  Vesicle ;  3.  Pustule ;  and  4.  Scab.  Prior  to  the  phys- 
ical manifestations  of  the  pox,  there  is  probably  a  little  fever,  es- 
pecially in  the  lower  animals.  In  the  human  the  pox  is  fre- 
quently fatal  as  is  the  case  in  black  pox.  In  the  lower  animals 
the  pox  is  mild.  This  disease  is  non-recurrent ;  one  attack  rend- 
ers an  animal  permanently  immune.  Chicken  pox  may  render 
some  little  degree  of  immunity  in  the  human,  and  cow  pox  most 
certainly  does.     Vaccination  is  based  upon  the 

1.  Intercommunicability  of  the  disease. 

2.  Non-recurrence  of  the  disease. 

History  of  Vaccination. — Dr.  Edward  Jenner,  an  English 
country  practitioner,  discovered  the  principles  of  vaccination.  He 
was  the  first  to  notice  that  the  milkmaids  did  not  take  the  small 
pox,  that  the}^  were  practically  immune.  In  1768  he  discovered 
the  reason  why.  He  examined  cows  and  people  and  found  that 
the  cows  frequently  had  kine  pox.     He  began  inoculating  people 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  155 

with  the  serum  of  the  kine  vesicles  in  1796.  He  met  with  such 
success  that  he  announced  his  discovery  to  the  world  in  1798. 
Vaccination  was  introduced  into  America  in  1 800.  It  has  proved 
so  successful  that  the  adoption  of  it  has  become  world  wide. 

The  specific  cause  of  variola  has  never  been  found. 

Etiology. — There  is  nothing  known  about  the  cause  of  pox. 
The  disease  has  proved  to  be  of  a  specific  nature,  and  is  more 
than  likely  due  to  some  germ,  but  the  causal  agent  has  not  yet 
been  demonstrated. 

Course. — Variola  equina  runs  through  four  well  defined 
stages,  pimple,  vesicle,  pustule  and  scab.  The  pimple  stage  is 
short,  about  24  hours.  The  vesicles  contain  serum  which  is  thin, 
clear  and  transparent.  About  the  second  day  it  begins  to  get 
cloudy  and  the  fourth  day  pustules  form.  Coagulation  of  the 
lymph  and  drying  of  the  skin  make  the  scab.  This  desquamates 
about  the  21st  day,  leaving  an  oval  shallow  circular  red  pit. 
Equine  variola  usually  attacks  the  mouth  first,  then  spreads  over 
the  lips,  cheeks,  neck  and  shoulders  and  continues  down  the  legs. 
Contagious  stomatitis  may  be  a  form  of  variola.  In  case  of  in- 
fection from  stomatitis  use  continuous  applications  of  a  2  per 
cent  solution  of  formaldehyde. 

Treatmeni. — Wash  the  mouth  wath  potassium  chlorate,  or  so- 
dium biborate  solution.  Keep  a  special  watering  bucket  for  the 
animal  and  keep  him  separate  from  the  other  animals.  Thor- 
oughly disinfect  the  stable  after  recovery. 

Sheep  sometimes  die  from  variola. 

Occasionally  equine  variola  is  enzootic.  In  such  a  case  horses 
become  infected  after  being  fed  or  watered  from  contaminated 
food  or  water.  In  1877  an  outbreak  occurred  in  ^Montreal  and 
the  stable  men  in  several  places  contracted  the  disease. 

ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax  has  various  dififerent  names.  The  French  call  it 
Charhon;  the  Germans,  Mihbrand ;  other  names  are  Splenic  fever, 
Woolsorte/s  disease.  Putrid  fever,  Petaechial  typhus;  in  East 
India  it  is  called  Loodiana  disease,  in  South  Africa,  Horse  sick- 
ness, in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland  it  is  called  Braxy.  Some 
writers  call  it  contagions  carbuncle.     In  the  human  subject,  when 


156  -  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

anthrax  is  due  to  inoculation  through  a  wound,  it  is  called  malig- 
nant pustide. 

Anthrax  is  essentially  malignant.  As  a  rule  it  develops 
without  any  swellings  or  external  manifestations,  although  there 
may  be  swelling.  All  warm  blooded  animals  are  subject  to  it. 
At  one  time  it  was  thought  that  the  birds  and  fowls  did  not  have 
it,  but  this  is  erroneous.  The  disease  usually  runs  a  rapid  fatal 
course,  sometimes  killing  in  12-24  hours.  In  the  horse  manv 
mild  cases  recover,  but  the  recovery  is  slow.  Some  never  fully 
get  over  the  disease.  A  notable  case  of  anthrax  among  fast 
horses,  pacers  and  trotters  was  related  by  Dr.  Baker.  They  may 
recover,  but  they  never  recover  their  former  usefulness.  They 
may  have  a  wabbly  gait. 

Anthrax  has  been  known  from  time  immemorial.  In  the 
siege  of  Troy,  animals  are  recorded  as  having  died  of  anthrax. 
The  people  ate  the  animals  and  60,000  of  them  died.  It  occurs 
epizootically  and  enzootically. 

Etiology. — The  cause  of  anthrax  is  the  bacillus  anthracis.  It 
was  discovered  by  two  Frenchmen  in  1850 — Rayer  and  Davaine. 
The  disease  is  communicable  from  animal  to  animal  and  from 
animal  to  people.  The  germs  may  be  taken  in  through  any 
channel,  but  most  often  by  the  mouth  through  food.  The  germs 
can  enter  any  abraided  surface,  wounded  skin,  etc.  In  case  of  a 
skin  wound  the  part  should  be  excised.  People  can  get  malig- 
nant pustule  through  handling  dirty  rags,  etc.  Whether  the 
animal  dies  from  the  disease  or  not  depends  upon  the  conditions 
of  immunity.     The  course  of  the  disease  depends  upon: 

1.  The  natural  immunity  of  the  animal. 

2.  Strength    of    the    culture,    that    is    the 

amount  of  attenuation  of  the  germs. 

3.  Number  of  germs  inoculated. 

The  period  of  incubation  is  short — may  be  four  hours.  The 
disease  is  non-recurrent.  One  attack  renders  immunity  to  an 
animal.  Pasteur  proved  this  to  be  true  and  because  of  his  in- 
vestigations we  now  practice  vaccination  against  it.  He  used 
broth  as  a  culture  medium  and  kept  it  at  a  temperature  of  42 
degrees  C.  He  found  tnat  the  germs  died  in  a  month.  When  he 
introduced  the  broth  into  a  healthy  animal,  it  produced  a  consti- 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  157 

tutional  fever.  Pasteur  experimented  upon  sheep,  using  two 
or  three  inoculations  a  week  apart,  and  after  the  reaction  of  the 
fever,  he  found  that  the  sheep  were  immune.  This  immunity 
usually  developed  after  the  second  inoculation.  Koch  claimed 
that  a  hypodermic  inoculation  of  anthrax  would  not  immunize  an 
animal  from  the  natural  infection;  he  further  claimed  that  the 
germs  were  dead  in  a  degenerated  carcass,  but  he  was  not  cor- 
rect. There  is  no  doubt  that  germs  have  infected  people  in  car- 
casses two  or  three  years  old.  Koch  has  immortalized  himself, 
but  he  has  made  so  many  ridiculous  announcements  that  he  has 
lost  caste  amongst  modern  pathologists. 

Horses  get  anthrax  by  grazing  on  lands  flooded  the  previous 
spring.  The  streams  are  liable  to  contain  a  decomposing  carcass 
which  carries  the  germs.  The  disease  may  come  through  the 
food,  through  the  flies,  stings,  etc. 

Semciology. — Some  cases  of  anthrax  develop  external  tumors. 
When  the  disease  takes  the  form  of  apoplexy  there  is  no  swelling. 
In  case  of  splenic  apoplexy  the  animal  dies  suddenly. 

The  first  thing  noticeable  is  a  high  temperature,  which  in  3-4 
days  runs  up  to  106.  The  visible  mucous  membranes  become 
cyanotic,  due  to  the  disorganization  of  the  blood.  Weakness  is 
progressive  and  rapid.  A  few  hours  before  death  the  animal 
staggers,  then  goes  down,  dying  from  syncope. 

Posf  Mortem. — The  tissues  show  petechige  or  ecchymoses. 
The  blood  spots  are  local  hemorrhages.  The  spleen  is  large  and 
black,  and  full  of  coagulated  blood.  If  the  spleen  is  suspended 
the  contents  will  gravitate,  this  is  diagnostic  of  anthrax.  Upon 
opening  the  heart  the  blood  will  be  found  to  be  black,  thick,  and 
non-coagulated.  The  liver  will  be  congested,  also  the  kidneys,  and 
the  fat  around  them  will  be  ecchymotic.  These  are  the  only 
lesions  found  post  mortem.  Anthrax  is  wholly  a  blood  disease 
and  it  is  a  good  plan  to  corroborate  the  diagnosis  by  a  blood  ex- 
amination. Inoculate  a  small  laboratory  animal  with  some  of 
the  blood,  spleen,  kidney,  etc.,  to  see  if  anthrax  develops.  In 
making  a  post  mortem,  always  remember  that  the  disease  will 
attack  the  doctor  as  well  as  any  one  else.  Use  rubber  gloves, 
keep  the  flies  away.  Do  not  allow  the  carcass  to  be  skinned, 
burn  it.     If  it  must  be  buried,  cover  it  with  unslaked  lime  and 


158  '  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

5   feet  deep.     Otherwise  the  earth  worms  will  bring  the  germs 
to  the  surface  and  infect  the  animals  grazing  near  by. 

Treatment. — If  the  case  is  the  first  one  diagnosed,  then  treat 
the  fever  and  when  the  animal  dies,  as  he  surely  will,  hold  a  post 
mortem.  If  the  post  mortem  confirms  the  diagnosis,  then  quar- 
antine against  the  source  of  infection.  No  medical  treatment  will 
touch  anthrax.  You  can  vaccinate,  however.  Get  the  printed 
directions  which  come  with  the  virus  and  follow  them  carefully. 
Make  sure  of  your  diagnosis  before  saying  anything.  Inoculate 
laboratory  animals,  and  if  they  die  examine  their  blood  micro- 
scopically. If  it  is  anthrax  you  will  find  the  bacilli  in  large 
numbers.  The  fat  around  the  kidneys  is  the  same  as  in  Texas 
fever.  The  blood  of  anthrax  is  not  like  that  of  any  other  disease , 
it  is  like  tar 

RABIES. 

The  name  rabies  is  derived  from  the  Latin  rabere,  to  rave. 
In  the  human  subject  it  is  called  hydrophobia.  This  word  means 
dread  of  water,  but  the  disease  is  the  same  as  in  any  other  ani- 
mal. Water  sets  the  human  patient  into  paroxysms,  but  so  would 
anything  else.  Rabies  is  a  peculiar  contagious  disease.  It  pre- 
sents its  symptoms  through  the  nervous  system  in  the  form  of 
paroxysms  which  are  invariably  fatal.  All  warm  blooded  ani- 
mals are  subject  to  it.  The  virus  seems  to  live  in  the  saliva,  but 
an  emulsion  of  brain  or  spinal  cord  of  a  rabid  animal  will  produce 
the  disease  when  inoculated  into  another  animal.  Other  parts, 
such  as  the  blood,  feces,  etc.,  when  inoculated,  give  negative  re- 
sults. The  rabid  virus  may  be  absorbed  through  a  wound.  It  is 
usually  easy  to  trace  the  origin  of  the  disease.  We  regard  the 
history  of  every  case  important. 

Etiology. — It  was  formerly  supposed  that  dogs  go  mad  by 
reason  of  a  spontaneous  development  of  certain  conditions,  such 
as  deprivation  of  water,  confinement,  ungratified  passion,  etc., 
but  recent  investigations  show  that  rabies  may  occur  in  any  dog 
and  in  any  place,  the  one  thing  needful  being  a  bite  from  a  rabid 
animal.  Bites  around  the  head  are  much  more  dangerous  than 
when  located  in  other  places.     Pasteur  states  that  only  one  out 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  159 

of  five  bitten  by  rabid  animals  develops  the  disease.  So  far  as 
the  specific  virus  is  concerned,  we  do  not  know  much  about  it, 
but  the  agent  must  be  large  for  it  can  be  filtered  out  from  the 
saliva.  The  so-called  Negri  bodies  are  a  phenomenon  of  this 
disease.  In  1903  Negri  discovered  the  small  bodies  in  the  nervous 
tissues  of  rabid  animals.  They  can  be  seen  under  the  scope  in 
the  form  of  little  granular  oval  or  round  masses  which  stain  red. 
They  are  found  in  the  substance  of  the  brain,  especially  in  the 
horn  of  Ammon.  Investigation  of  these  bodies  is  being  con- 
ducted in  many  laboratories  and  all  reports  do  not  agree  as  to 
the  importance  of  these  bodies  from  a  diagnostic  standpoint. 
They  have  been  found  in  animals  not  diagnosed  as  having  rabies, 
but  such  diagnosis  was  not  positive. 

Prof.  Negri,  Dr.  Lagorio  (Chicago),  and  Dr.  Frothingham 
(Boston)  have  done  much  work  on  the  subject  of  rabies.  Dr. 
Frothingham  claims  that  these  bodies  are  a  positive  evidence  of 
rabies. 

So  far  as  the  deprivation  of  water  is  concerned,  any  animal 
will  develop  a  fever  when  deprived  of  water.  Statistics  prove 
that  we  have  more  rabies  in  the  fall  and  winter  than  in  the 
summer  and  the  temperature  has  nothing  to  do  with  it. 

The  period  of  incubation  may  be  as  short  as  a  week,  and  it 
runs  an  indefinite  length  of  time.  Rabies  may  be  traced  to  a 
bite  6  months  past.  The  incubation  period  averages  28-35  days. 
The  periods  are  the  same  in  all  animals. 

Semeiology. — Horse.  The  first  thing  noticed  is  nervousness. 
There  is  an  unnatural  twitching  of  the  muscles  of  the  face  and 
the  patient  is  irritable,  inclined  to  bite  his  attendant.  He  drinks 
slowly  and  on  the  second  day  cannot  drink  at  all.  He  shakes  his 
head,  breaks  the  bucket,  etc.,  and  does  not  eat  because  of  the  par- 
alysis of  the  muscles  of  deglutition.  The  horse  grows  constantly 
more  restless  and  has  spasmodic  fits  of  kicking;  makes  attempts 
to  bite,  but  does  not  really  do  so. 

According  to  the  severity  of  the  attack  paralysis  sets  in 
sooner  or  later  and  the  animal  staggers  until  he  goes  down  in  a 
fit  of  unconsciousness. 

The  bitten  part  seems  to  itch  and  the  horse  rubs  his  wound 
against  the  stall.     If  the  wound  is  on  a  leg,  the  animal  nibbles  the 


160  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

part,  bites  it,  tears  it,  wounding  himself  severely.  There  is  no 
fever,  the  animal  dies  comatose.  Death  occurs  about  the  fifth 
day.  The  course  and  termination  of  this  disease  indicates  that 
it  is  specific.  The  symptoms  in  other  animals  will  be  taken  up 
by  Dr.  White 'and  Dr.  Wright. 

Differential  Diagnosis. — There  is  no  danger  in  making  a  mis- 
taken diagnosis  for  no  other  disease  resembles  it.  In  the  horse 
cerebro-spinal  meningitis  has  some  similar  symptoms.  In  the 
dog  acute  indigestion  must  be  differentiated.  Dogs  vomit  in 
indigestion,  but  not  in  rabies.  Because  a  dog  bites,  he  is  not 
necessarily  mad.  He  will  bite  in  case  of  worms,  brain  trouble, 
etc.  In  dog  practice  it  is  sometimes  difficult  to  make  a  diagnosis 
between  the  diseases  of  the  brain  and  those  of  the  stomach. 

Treatment. — Rabies  is  always  fatal,  consequently  medicinal 
treatment  is  useless  and  the  only  thing  is  preventive  treatment. 

Pasteur  discovered  the  efficacy  of  inoculating  an  animal  with 
attenuated  virus.  He  inoculated  chicken  broth  with  attenuated 
saliva  of  a  rabid  dog  (saliva  was  old)  and  it  gave  no  results. 
Then  he  inoculated  a  rabbit  with  an  emulsion  of  the  brain  of  a 
rabid  dog;  then  he  used  the  inoculated  animal  to  inoculate  the 
next  and  so  on  until  he  had  inoculated  50.  He  found  that  the 
50th  attenuation  w.as  very  mild  in  action,  and  when  an  emulsion 
from  such  an  animal  was  used,  it  was  slower  to  act.  He  used 
attenuations  of  the  50th  degree  up  to  the  12th,  making  the  inocu- 
lations 3  or  4  days  apart,  and  this  course  of  treatment  produced 
immunity. 

The  Pasteur  treatment  as  carried  out  today  is  practically 
the  same.  An  emulsion  of  spinal  cord  of  a  rabbit  is  used  and 
kept  in  the  incubator  for  3  days  at  70°  F  when  it  is  sufficiently 
attenuated.  This  attenuated  virus  is  used  for  the  inoculation. 
Dr.  Lagoria  inoculates  for  21  days,  using  a  3rd  day  attenuation 
for  3  days,  2nd  day  attenuation  for  5  days,  etc.  If  the  bite  oc- 
curs on  the  face  or  neck,  the  treatment  should  be  given  immedi- 
ately.    In  all  cases  it  should  begin  by  the  3rd  day. 


Of  veterinary  medicine.  161 

GLANDERS. 

Glanders  or  farcy  (French,  La  Alorve;  German,  Rotzkrank- 
heit)  is  a  specific  inflammation  especially  characteristic  of  the 
equine  species,  horses  and  asses.  It  is  communicable  to  the 
human,  dogs  and  cats.  It  has  recently  been  found  that  it  could 
be  inoculated  into  the  bovine  species.  Bovines  are  generally  con- 
sidered to  be  immune.  '  Glanders  is  considered  a  fatal  disease. 
Some  mild  cases  can  possibly  be  cured,  but  these  are  infrequent. 

External  glanders  refers  to  the  specific  eruption  of  the 
Schneiderian  membrane ;  internal  glanders  attacks  the  invisible 
mucous  membranes  such  as  those  of  the  larynx,  trachea,  bronchi, 
etc.,  and  the  lungs  in  the  form  of  interstitial  pneumonia,  the 
liver  and  internal  lymphatic  glands. 

Farcy  is  an  eruption  of  the  external  lymphatics  and  ducts.  It 
is  spoken  of  as  cutaneous  glanders.  In  all  fatal  cases  of  either 
glanders  or  farcy  the  one  runs  into  the  other.  A  horse  seldom 
dies  from  the  one  form  of  lesion  without  the  other  appearing. 
The  disease  runs  two  courses,  acute,  and  chronic  (subacute). 
The  acute  form  kills  in  3-6  weeks,  although  the  horse  might  run 
along  for  a  longer  time ;  the  chronic  form  lasts  indefinitely. 

The  disease  is  as  old  as  anthrax.  It  was  described  under  the 
head  of  malleus  in  the  fourth  century.  The  French  wrote  about 
it  in  1618.  LaFosse,  in  1749  said  it  was  a  spontaneous  disease 
and  described  it  as  ulceration  of  the  mucous  membranes.  It  ex- 
ists quite  generally  in  the  uncivilized  world  as  well  as  the  civ- 
ilized. 

Etiology. — The  specific  germ  of  glanders  called  the  bacillus 
malleus  was  discovered  by  Loefiler  and  Schultz  in  1882.  These 
men  were  members  of  the  German  board  of  health.  The  germs 
are  found  in  the  discharges  of  glanders  and  farcy.  With  them 
are  also  found  manv  other  bacteria. 

Semeiologx. — The  earliest  symptoms  are  fever  and  diabetes 
insipidus.  These  symptoms  are  not  usually  noticed  unless  the 
horse  is  a  valuable  one  and  is  observed  to  miss  a  meal  or  two. 
The  horse  may  show  so  marked  polyuria  as  to  partially  flood  the 
stable.  He  has  a  good  appetite,  but  in  spite  of  it  he  loses  flesh 
rapidly.     He  is  not  sick  long  before  a  nasal  discharge  begins  in 


162  THEORY  AND   PRACTICE 

the  form  of  a  red  limpid  serum  mixed  with  mucus.  After  a  few 
days  this  becomes  muco-purulent  and  streaked  with  blood.  If 
you  look  into  his  nose  you  will  notice  a  red  local  swelling  elevated 
at  least  54  inch.  This  is  the  pustule  of  glanders,  and  when  it 
ruptures  the  hemorrhage  causes  the  pus  to  be  bloody.  The 
mucus  from  the  nose  is  of  a  catarrhal  nature,  coagulated  and 
starchy.  It  has  no  actual  diagnostic  appearance,  but  it  is  sus- 
picious because  of  its  resemblance  to  melted  butter.  This  sticky 
discharge  accumulates  around  the  rim  of  the  nostrils  and  dries 
there  more  or  less.  This  interferes  with  the  respiration.  The 
horse  blows  his  nose  and  a  stringy  discharge  flips  up  and  lodges 
on  the  side  of  the  face  where  it  attracts  dust  and  dirt.  The 
glandered  horse  always  has  a  dirty  face.  The  stall  also  will 
be  just  as  dirty.     You  can  always  tell  a  glandered  horse's  stall. 

In  the  course  of  a  week  the  submaxillary  lymphatics  will 
swell.  They  catch  the  debris  and  germs.  As  a  rule  they  do 
not  suppurate.  This  symptom  is  not  diagnostic,  for  you  get  the 
same  in  chronic  catarrh. 

The  pustule  in  the  nostril  ruptures,  eventually  ulcerates.  The 
ulcer  has  an  elevated,  ridged  edge  with  a  depressed  center.  Ulti- 
mately the  whole  mucous  membrane  of  the  nose  has  a  mouse 
eaten  appearance.  In  a  mild  case,  especially  if  the  pustules  form 
high  up  in  the  nostril,  the  air  passages  become  constricted  and 
we  get  wheezy  breathing,  but  this  is  not  diagnostic. 

Cough,  accelerated  breathing  and  pneumonia  are  the  next 
symptoms.  The  pneumonia  is  interstitial  because  it  involves  the 
interlobular  connective  tissue.  The  lining  of  the  bronchi  becomes 
ulcerated.  In  the  course  of  a  week  we  get  cuticular  manifesta- 
tions, particularly  in  the  inguinal  region  and  at  times  in  the  pec- 
toral. The  legs  are  doughy  and  the  nodular  swellings  discharge 
and  ulcerate.  These  ulcers  do  not  heal,  but  remain  in  a  state  of 
continual  discharge  until  death. 

In  such  a  condition  the  horse  is  dejected,  hangs  his  head  and 
looks  miserable.  The  discharge  from  the  nose  may  become  some- 
what offensive  in  a  late  stage.  The  animal  dies  from  collapse. 
During  the  whole  course  of  the  disease  the  fever  stays  up  to  102" 
to  104°  or  even  more.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency  and 
decreased  in  size  and  strength. 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  163 

In  subacute  glanders  a  chronic  discharge  from  the  nose  is 
usually  the  first  thing  noticed.  It  is  of  the  same  character  as 
that  in  the  acute  only  not  so  exaggerated.  The  case  runs  along 
with  no  other  symptoms  except  the  discharge  and  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  submaxillary  lymphatics.  Such  a  case  may  keep  up 
indefinitely  if  well  cared  for.  But  during  all  this  time  the  horse 
is  sowing  the  germs  of  the  disease  everywhere  he  goes.  The 
termination  of  a  chronic  case  is  a  sudden  development  of  the 
acute  form.  This  comes  from  exposure  such  as  an  animal  would 
get  on  board  ship  or  in  the  army,  or  even  poorly  ventilated  stables 
may  be  a  cause  or  hardship  of  any  kind,  exposure  to  a  cold  storm, 
etc. 

Acute  Farcy. — This  form  of  glanders  starts  with  abscesses 
in  the  lymphatics.  They  begin  as  small  nodules  about  the  size 
of  a  hazel  nut  and  suppurate,  rupture,  discharge  and  ulcerate. 
The  legs  swell  and  eventually  the  eruption  involves  the  greater 
portion  of  the  body.  The  condition  grows  worse  rapidly  and  after 
2-4  weeks  the  case  runs  its  course  and  acute  glanders  develops. 

Chronic  Farcy. — In  a  mild  form  the  inflammatory  areas  on 
the  leg  become  indurated  while  small  nodules  spring  up  in  other 
parts.  The  course  is  slow.  Many  of  the  ulcers  heal,  leaving 
hairless  scars.  Sometimes  the  farcy  buds  come  up  on  the  head 
and  neck  pretty  thick ;  they  heal  and  leave  scars.  Such  a  case 
may  continue  for  years  until  some  unfavorable  condition  develops 
to  produce  a  severe  exacerbation. 

Besides  the  conditions  previously  mentioned,  severe  purgation 
may  bring  on  a  sudden  development  of  acute  glanders.  In  this 
climate  chronic  glanders  runs  its  course  in  about  3  years,  but  in 
North  Dakota  and  Montana  it  may  run  along  for  10  years  or 
more. 

How  IS  the  disease  carried?  The  usual  port  of  entrance  is 
thought  to  be  the  alimentary  tract.  The  virus  may  be  absorbed 
from  any  mucous  surface  or  through  any  abrasion  of  the  skin. 
Feed  boxes,  drinking  places  and  hitching  posts  are  sources  of  in- 
fection. A  glandered  horse  is  prone  to  rub  his  nose  and  the 
sticky  discharge  therefrom  contaminates  everything  it  comes  in 
contact  with.  Dogs  discharge  much  more  freely  than  the  horse. 
They  carry  the  glanders  germs  from  one  place  to  another. 


164  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

The  period  of  incubation  of  glanders  may  be  as  short  as  a 
week.  This  is  difficult  to  estimate  for  we  do  not  know  what  time 
the  case  was  infected. 

Treatment. — All  kinds  of  treatment  have  been  tried  but  they 
are  all  a  failure.  It  is  useless  to  attempt  to  give  medicine  and 
it  only  endangers  the  life  of  the  attendant.  Destroy  all  glandered 
horses.  In  order  to  do  this  you  must  get  the  consent  of  the 
owner  or  else  fall  back  upon  the  state.  The  state  law  must  be 
given  liberal  consideration.  You  cannot  take  a  man's  property 
from  him  without  due  process  of  law.  In  case  the  owner  objects, 
go  to  the  state's  attorney  and  find  out  what  action  to  take.  Quar- 
antine the  premises  in  the  interest  of  the  public  health  if  the 
owner  is  obstinate.  The  quarantine  can  be  maintained  indefi- 
nitely. 

The  main  trouble  in  glanders  comes  with  the  handling  of  sus- 
picious horses.  In  a  stable  where  one  or  two  animals  have  the 
disease  and  the  rest  are  exposed  how  will  you  protect  the  public? 
The  first  thing  to  do.  if  the  doctor  is  working  under  the  state 
law  and  has  the  power,  is  to  quarantine  the  place.  If  the  doctor 
has  not  this  power,  then  let  him  report  it  to  the  state  officer.  In 
most  of  the  states  there  are  laws  regulating  the  disposition  of 
animals  affected  with  contagious  diseases  and  glanders  is  one 
of  these  diseases.  Glanders,  foot  and  mouth  disease  and  Texas 
fever  are  recognized  and  handled  officially.  Most  states  require 
practitioners  to  report  all  cases  of  contagious  diseases.  In  Illi- 
nois there  is  a  $500.00  fine  for  failing  to  report  to  the  state 
veterinarian  any  contagious  case. 

After  the  stable  has  been  quarantined  then  test  the  animals 
with  mallein. 

Mallein  is  an  albuminous  serum.  It  varies  in  strength  but 
that  prepared  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry  is 
taken  as  a  standard.  A  dose  of  that  which  is  made  in  Wash- 
ington is  1  cubic  centimeter,  about  16  drops.  This  comes  in 
bottles  ready  for  use  and  is  injected  under  the  skin  in  the  side 
of  the  neck.  The  object  of  making  the  injection  in  this  place  is 
to  select  a  place  where  the  swelling  will  be  visible.  The  hair 
should  be  clipped  off  and  the  skin  washed  before  the  injection  is 
made.     This   should  be  done  about  ten  o'clock  at   night.     The 


g 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  165 

temperature  of  the  horse  prior  to  the  injection  should  be  taken 
three  times,  morning,  noon  and  night.  The  horse  should  be  in 
ood  condition  and  the  temperature  should  be  taken  under  favor- 
able circumstances.  Do  not  take  the  temperature  soon  after 
drinking  cold  water  but  before  eating  or  drinking  and  at  a  time 
when  he  is  not  warm  from  exercise  or  work.  He  should  not 
come  from  an  over-crowded  or  ill-ventilated  stable  in  such  a 
case  if  ever  you  want  a  normal  temperature.  After  making 
the  injection  take  the  temperature  the  next  morning  at 
7  o'clock,  then  every  two  hours  during  that  day  and  if  necessary 
through  the  niglit.  If  the  horse  has  glanders  you  will  get  an 
elevation  of  temperature  from  3-6  degrees.  The  maximum 
temperature  will  usually  be  found  about  14  hours  after  the  in- 
jection. The  temperature,  as  a  rule,  in  these  cases  rises  slowly 
but  persistently.  It  keeps  rising  for  24-30  hours.  It  will  then 
fall  within  2  or  3  degrees  of  normal  and  stay  there,  forming 
what  is  called  the  rainbow  curve. 

At  the  point  of  injection  there  will  be  a  swelling  varying  in 
size  from  3-9  inches  in  diameter.  It  is  usually  about  %  inch 
thick.  Radiating,  swollen  lines  will  be  seen  running  from  it. 
These  are  sometimes  3  or  4  inches  long,  may  be  a  foot  and  they 
are  apt  to  run  downward  toward  the  point  of  the  shoulder.  This 
swelling  is  intensely  painful. 

The  constitutional  effects  of  the  mallein  test  are  as  follows : 

The  horse  hangs  his  head,  loses  his  appetite  and  is  disin- 
clined to  move  and  sometimes  has  minor  chills.  This  depression 
is  so  well  marked  that  it  is  an  important  symptom.  It  indicates 
that  the  diagnosis  of  glanders  is  unquestionable.  A  great  many 
cases  have  been  tested,  destroyed  and  posted  and  I  have  never 
heard  of  a  case  with  these  symptoms  of  depression  with  the 
febrile  reaction  and  local  swelling  at  the  point  of  injection  proving 
to  be  anything  else  but  glanders. 

Of  course  there  will  be  varying  degrees  of  severity  of  reac- 
tion from  the  test.  The  temperature  may  run  along  to  105  or 
106,  and  there  be  present  swelling,  soreness  and  depression,  and 
there  would  be  no  question  of  its  being  glanders.  But  suppose 
the  maximum  temperature  is  103,  swelling  is  3  inches  in  diameter, 
no  soreness,  no  radiating  lines,  no  depression, — then  this  is  a 


166  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

suspicious  case.  You  cannot  say  that  he  has  or  has  not  glanders. 
Every  animal  should  either  be  named  or  marked  on  the  tempera- 
ture blank.  Mark  the  last  case  as  suspicious  and  test  him  again 
after  30  days. 

In  case  the  horse  has  not  glanders  the  mallein  test  will  give 
no  results  at  all,  there  will  be  no  elevation  of  temperature.  How- 
ever there  may  cases  come  up  that  will  give  a  little  tempera- 
ture, possibly  a  degree  or  two.  There  will  be  a  slight  local 
swelling,  but  no  radiating  lines.  Before  night  these  symptoms 
will  be  gone.    You  would  declare  such  a  case  sound. 

Disposition  of  the  Animals. — The  strong  reactors  should  be 
destroyed,  the  mild  ones  quarantined  and  tested  again  at  the  end 
of  one  or  two  months.  The  non-reactors  should  be  taken  out  to 
a  clean  fresh  place  and  be  kept  separate  from  the  others.  When 
the  tests  are  made  again  at  the  end  of  the  month  you  may  find 
some  that  give  a  marked  reaction  showing  that  the  disease  has 
developed  in  that  time.  On  the  other  hand  some  will  react  sus- 
piciously at  the  first  test  and  then  when  tested  again  show  clearly 
that  they  were  not  infected.  Such  cases  should  be  tested  several 
times.  It  is  important  to  protect  a  man's  horses  as  far  as  possi- 
ble.    Do  not  kill  any  more  horses  than  is  absolutely  necessary. 

The  failure  to  react  on  the  part  of  some  of  these  animals  that 
are  tested  two  or  three  times  creates  the  impression  in  the  minds 
of  many  that  the  mallein  test  immunizes  the  animal.  In  some 
mild  cases  the  mallein  seems  to  act  as  a  curative  and  the  animals 
become  sound  again,  living  along  indefinitely,  while  in  others 
the  addition  of  a  little  more  poison  than  they  already  have  in 
their  system  precipitates  the  disease  to  sudden  termination.  This 
point  is  being  debated  throughout  the  world  today  by  prominent 
veterinarians,  but  we  aim  to  be  conservative  and  protect  the 
public.  If  you  are  acting  under  a  state  veterinarian  who  is  in- 
clined to  be  radical,  argue  the  point  with  him  and  if  you  feel 
that  he  is  unreasonable,  more  so  than  you  can  endorse  you  better 
resign  than  be  caught  by  his  mistake. 

Thorough  disinfection  must  be  given  a  stable  where  a  glan- 
dered  horse  has  been  found  and  destroyed.  This  is  much  easier 
done  where  the  barn  has  a  good  floor.  Clean  out  the  stable  thor- 
oughly,  wash   the   stall,   etc.     Fill   a   large   bucket   with  boiling 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  167 

water,  put  in  three  or  four  ounces  of  carbolic  acid,  one-half  ounce 
of  bichloride  of  mercury  to  three  gallons  of  water.  Then  with 
an  old  broom  scrub  the  stall.  Wet  it  good  and  let  it  soak  a  while 
then  scrape  out.  Do  this  two  or  three  times.  If  the  stable  is 
tio-ht  enough  to  use  formaldehyde  and  fumigate,  do  so.  Shut  the 
stable  up  tight,  suspend  a  number  of  sheets  in  it  and  spray  the 
formaldehyde  over  the  sheets,  starting  at  the  far  side  from  the 
door.  Do  the  work  very  rapidly  and  back  out  toward  the  door 
as  you  work.  Let  it  stand  five  or  six  hours  in  this  condition, 
then  open  the  windows  and  doors  letting  in  all  the  fresh  air  pos- 
sible until  it  is  thoroughly  ventilated.  Then  whitewash  exten- 
sively with  fresh  slacked  lime  and  sprinkle  the  floor  liberally 
with  a  ten  per  cent  solution  of  coal  tar  emulsion.  Where  the 
dandered  horse  has  stood  take  out  the  manger  and  burn  it. 

Some  think  that  the  life  of  the  germ  is  only  a  few  months, 
that  it  will  die  with  time.  This  is  recognized  as  correct  for  out- 
doors — for  water  troughs,  fence  posts,  hitching  posts,  specially  it 
exposed  to  winter  weather  with  alternating  thawing  and  freez- 
ing, etc.     But  inside  this  is  not  so. 

The  harness  used  on  glandered  horses  should  be  cleaned  very 
thoroughly  and  the  bits  boiled. 

Mallein  Test. — We  have  occasion  to  have  great  confidence  in 
the  Mallein  Test.  If  the  horse  has  an  elevation  of  temperature 
to  begin  with  we  may  get  a  reading  of  thermometer  that  will 
not  tell  us  much  as  regards  the  diagnosis.  But  if  the  temperature 
is  normal  and  the  reaction  is  definite,  say  3  or  4  degrees  above 
normal  then  the  case  is  one  of  glanders.  If  the  temperature  rises 
3  degrees  and  depression  is  slight  then  do  not  kill  the  animal  but 
test  again  a  month  later.  Suspicious  cases  should  be  retested. 
If  thought  advisable,  confirm  the  mallein  test  with  some  other 
such  as  the  Strauss  test  or  the  agglutination  test. 

Strauss  Test. — Inoculate  under  the  skin  or  into  the  peritoneal 
cavity  of  the  miale  pig  some  glander's  pus.  In  three  days  the  pig 
will  show  swelling  of  the  testicles  which  are  sore  under  pressure 
if  the  pus  is  specific  of  glanders.  In  thus  inoculating  the  pig 
other  germs  will  no  doubt  be  introduced  into  his  system  so  that 
the  pig  will  die  probably  anyway  from  an  infection  but  the  swell- 
ing of  the  testicles  is  the  diagnostic  point. 


168  THEORY   AND   PIL\CTICE 

Agglutination  Test. — This  test  is  a  new  laboratory  method. 
It  is  based  upon  the  theory  of  the  agglutination  of  germs  by  an 
infected  serum.  The  serum  is  first  dihited  and  then  inoculated 
with  a  suspension  of  the  dead  glander's  germ  and  after  a  definite 
length  of  time  agglutination  of  the  germs  takes  place.  This 
reaction  can  be  seen  in  a  test  tube,  in  the  test  tube  the  germs 
make  a  floculant  white  precipitate  at  the  bottom  of  the  tube. 

Post  Mortem. — Suppose  we  have  a  case  which  shows  no  evi- 
dence of  the  glander's  lesion.  At  post  you  will  probably  find  an 
interstitial  pneumonia  or  glanders  abscesses  in  the  liver  or  lym- 
phatic glands.  ]\Iany  cases  will  show  internal  evidence  of  glan- 
ders which  were  wrongly  diagnosed  during  life. 

Order  the  animals  which  react  strongly,  killed,  that  is,  those 
that  have  a  marked  temperature  or  swelling.  ]\Iild  cases  usually 
react  less  and  less  to  each  test.  They  should  be  held  over  and 
tested  again.  Never  inject  mallein  into  an  animal  when  there 
is  fever  present  from  some  other  cause  than  the  glanders  infec- 
tion. All  suspicious  cases  should  be  quarantined  and  tested 
again.  The  mallein  test  will  hurry  the  termination  of  an  acute 
case. 

In  Montana  glanders  is  mild ;  horses  live  for  years  with  the 
disease  and  scatter  the  germs  everywhere.  Canada  gets  her 
glanders  cases  from  IMontana  and  this  has  compelled  her  to  re- 
fuse to  admit  any  reactor  into  her  boundaries.  Reactors  should 
be  kept  in  continuous  quarantine.  The  owners  can  put  them  to 
work,  but  they  must  be  kept  out  of  the  way  of  other  animals. 

The  Board  of  Live  Stock  Commission  of  Illinois  can  make 
rules  that  are  just  as  binding  as  laws.  The  old  laws  put  the 
quarantined  cases  in  the  barn  and  kept  them  there  but  according 
to  the  present  regulations  the  horses  can  go  on  the  public  high- 
ways providing  they  are  inspected  every  week  at  the  owner's  ex- 
pense. The  veterinarian  can  charge  $2.00  for  every  10  horses 
or  fraction  of  ten.  The  object  of  these  inspections  is  to  catch  the 
cases  that  develop  early.  If  the  owner  works  his  horse  after  he 
has  been  ordered  to  hold  his  animal  in  he  can  be  arrested.  The 
time  limit  of  quarantine  is  usually  90  days  if  nothing  develops, 
but  the  quarantine  runs  indefinitely. 

The  law  says  that  the  owner  must  carry  his  own  waterpail; 


OF  VETERIXARV   MEDICINE.  169 

that  he  cannot  water  his  horses  at  public  watering  places;  that 
he  cannot  use  other  stables  or  tie  to  hitching  posts,  etc. 

DIFFERENTIAL  DIAGNOSIS  BETWEEN 
GLANDERS  and       CHRONIC  CATARRH. 

Ulceration  of  Schneiderian  No  ulceration  at  all. 

[Membrane.  Discharge  intermittent. 

Discharge  continuous.  Discharge  usually  unilateral. 

Discharge  usually  bilateral.  Coagulated      in     chunks,      not 
Discharge      resembles      melted  gluey. 

butter.  Discharge  always  fetid. 
Doscharge  odorless  unless  there 

is    extensivet    necrosis    of 

the  turbinate  bones. 

RECORD  OF  FIVE  CASES  TESTED  WITH  MALLEIN. 

The  first  three  cases  occurred  in  Dr.  \"ernon's  practice. 
M. 


Case 

No.  1. 

Case  No.  2. 

Case  No.  3 

Temperature 

before 

injection 

.10:00  p.  m. 

101 

100 

101 

Temj^erature 

after 

inject: 

ion 

.    6:00  a.  m. 

102:5 

100 

102:5 

8:00  a.  m. 

103:6 

102 

104 

10:00  a.  m. 

103:4 

102:4 

103:6 

'* 

12:00     m. 

103:4 

102 

103:4 

2:00  p.  m. 

103:2 

101:8 

101:8 

4:00  p.  m. 

102 

101:2 

(( 

6:00  p.  m. 

101:6 

101.2 

The  first  case  developed  a  swelling  at  the  seat  of  injection  S 
by  10  inches.  There  was  no  swelling  the  next  morning  and  the 
horse  showed  no  depression. 

In  the  second  case  the  swelling  was  slight  and  there  was  no 
depression. 

In  the  third  case  was  a  swelling  5  by  10  inches  with  no  de- 
pression. 

The  question  arose  what  to  do  with  these  animals.  As  the 
temperature  and  swellings  were  not  typical  it  was  decided  that 
they  should  be  liberated. 


170  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

The  next  two  cases  were  under  Dr.  Schneider's  observaiion. 

Case  No.  1 — Gray.     Case  No.  2 — Eoan. 


Temperature  before 

injection.  . . . 

.  .    3:30  p.  m. 

99:9 

100:6 

i  I 

7:00  p.  m. 

101:6 

101:5 

it 

10:00  p.  m. 

101:4 

100:8 

Temperature  after 

injection 

. .   6:00  a.  m. 

104:1 

100:3 

n 

8:00  a.  m. 

105:8 

102:6 

it 

10:00  a.  m. 

105:8 

104 

(( 

12:00     m. 

105:9 

103:3 

It 

2:00  p.  m. 

105:3 

102:4 

(( 

4:00  p.  m. 

105:7 

104:2 

ct 

6:00  p.  m. 

105:2 

104:2 

€( 

8:00  p.  m. 

105 

103:3 

ee 

10:00  p.  m. 

104 

104 

(( 

7:00  a.  m. 

105:1 

103:8 

The  first  case  developed  a  swelling  4  by  5. 

Second  case  developed  a  swelling  3  by  4. 

Both  of  these  cases  showed  great  depression  the  day  f^iHow- 
ing  the  injection  and  the  next  day  also.  It  was  decided  that 
they  had  the  disease  and  they  were  destroyed. 

STRANGLES. 

Strangles,  Gourme  (French),  Druse  (German),  is  a  con- 
tagious disease  peculiar  to  the  horse.  Some  writers  describe  it 
under  the  name  of  Coryza  Contagiosa  Erjuorum.  The  specific 
germ  was  described  by  Schultz  in  1888  and  he  called  it  strepto- 
coccus equi.  Horses  of  all  ages  may  contract  the  disease  but  it 
is  generally  known  as  a  colt  disease.  It  is  non-recurrent,  but 
possibly  in  rare  cases  it  may  attack  an  animal  the  second  time. 

Strangles  runs  two  courses,  the  regular  and  the  irregular. 
The  irregular  course  used  to  be  a  disease  called  Bastard  Strangles, 
but  this  name  has  become  obsolete. 

In  its  nature  strangles  is  a  pyogenic  fever.  No  other  species 
of  animal  is  ever  attacked.  The  regular  form  manifests  itself  in 
abscesses  about  the  throat,  in  the  submaxillary  space,  in  the 
glands  and  lymphatic  vessels  about  the  head.  It  runs  a  course 
of  about  a  week  or  two  when  the  abscesses  will  have  ruptured 
spontaneously  and  healed  benignly.  The  abscesses  usually  dis- 
charge for  about  a  week. 

Inoculation  with  pus   from  these  abscesses  will   not  always 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  "'  171 

produce  the  disease,  but  cohabitation  of  the  diseased  and  healthy 
animals  seems  to  transmit  the  infection.  It  cannot  really  be  ex- 
plained how  the  infection  is  carried.  It  may  be  from  the  pus  or 
it  may  be  from  the  expired  air  or  discharges  of  the  diseased 
animal. 

Etiology. — The  streptococcus  equi  is  the  cause.  The  period 
of  incubation  is  from  one  to  two  weeks. 

Scmeiology. — There  is  at  first  a  high  fever  which  is  soon  fol- 
lowed by  loss  of  appetite  and  swellings  around  the  throat  and 
branches  of  the  lower  jaw.  The  abscesses  may  be  numerous  or 
few,  large  or  small.  Regularly  they  occur  around  the  head  and 
throat.  If  the  retropharyngeal  glands  are  involved  the  dyspnoea 
may  be  dangerous  and  death  from  asphyxiation  occur.  The 
mortality  is  not  high.  About  99  out  of  a  100  recover,  but  occa- 
sionally one  will  die.  The  death  depends  a  great  deal  upon  the 
environment  and  the  weather.  Wet  and  cold  are  unfavorable  to 
the  sick  animal. 

Strangles  usually  starts  with  fever  and  a  discharge  from  th? 
nose,  and  there  may  be  some  cough.  At  first  the  pulse  is  rapid 
and  in  a  few  days  it  becomes  w^eak.  The  mucous  membranes 
become  injected,  and  if  the  abscesses  occur  around  the  throat 
and  maxillary  glands,  the  deglutition  is  apt  to  be  interfered  with. 
In  a  few  days  they  will  rupture  spontaneously  unless  they  are 
too  deep-seated.  Then  the  fever  subsides,  the  appetite  returns 
and  rapid  recovery  takes  place.  The  temperature  may  start  out 
at  106  but  in  4  days  go  down  to  104,  at  which  place  it  stays  until 
the  abscess  ruptures,  when  it  returns,  to  normal. 

In  the  irregular  form  the  character  of  the  fever  is  the  same 
but  the  abscesses  form  somewhere  else  than  around  the  throat, 
eithe.  internally  or  externally.  They  are  often  seen  in  the  liver, 
spleen  and  lymph  glands  and  the  pectoral  and  inguinal  branches 
of  the  lymphatic  ducts.  They  may  break  out  about  the  legs.  If 
the  abscesses  are  superficial  and  can  be  opened  or  ruptured  the 
animal  will  make  a  good  recovery,  but  if  the  abscesses  follow  one 
another  then  the  animal  may  not  get  well  for  six  or  eight  months. 
If  they  rupture  internally  the  case  may  be  fatal.  The  pericardium 
and  occasionally  the  heart  itself  is  often  the  site  of  these  ab- 


172  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

scesses.     They  sometimes  occur  on  the  pleura  and  rupture  into 
the  pleural  cavity. 

Treatment. — Strangles  must  run  its  course — it  cannot  be 
aborted.  Rational  treatment  will  help  to  produce  a  favorable  ter- 
mination. In  this  and  every  other  febrile  disease  the  patient 
should  be  housed  and  kept  warm.  Let  the  food  be  laxative. 
Crushed  scalded  oats  and  bran  are  good.  Apply  linseed  poultices 
to  the  abscesses  to  soften  them  and  repeat  the  application  night 
and  morning.  Open  the  abscesses,  do  not  let  them  rupture.  They 
should  be  opened  3  or  4  days  after  they  start.  Syringe  them  out 
and  still  keep  on  the  poultice.  This  will  hasten  the  recovery. 
After  2  or  3  days  stop  the  poulticing  but  cover  the  sore  part  if 
the  weather  necessitates  it.  If  dyspnoea  is  accentuated,  perform 
tracheotomy. 

As  to  medicine,  give  quinine  and  whisky  every  4  hours.  If 
the  temperature  is  around  104  or  105  give  small  doses  of  aceta- 
nilid.  Keep  the  temperature  at  104  or  less.  As  soon  as  the 
abscess  has  been  opened  or  has  ruptured  put  the  patient  on 
tincture  of  iron.  For  the  irregular  case,  if  you  can  make  a  posi- 
tive diagnosis,  give  quinine  and  whisky,  but  if  the  case  runs  for 
a  long  time  use  anti-streptococcus  serum.  This  may  effect  a 
recovery.  It  would  be  a  good  plan  to  give  all  suspected  cases  a 
prophylactic  dose  of  the  serum. 

Post  mortem  reveals  nothing  more  than  the  abscesses. 

BURSATTI. 

Bursatti  is  the  name  of  a  disease  which  produces  inflamma- 
tory swellings  in  the  skin  with  raw  suppurating  surfaces.  These 
are  called  kunkurs.  The  name  "bursatti"  is  derived  from  the 
East  Indian  word  burns,  meaning  rain,  and  the  disease  is  spoken 
of  as  rain  sores.  Up  to  the  present  time  it  has  proven  to  be 
incurable.  It  may  yield  for  a  time  but  the  kunkurs  will  return. 
The  disease  is  found  mostly  in  the  South  and  the  outbreaks  occur 
in  the  summer.  It  is  not  considered  contagious  from  horse  to 
horse,  but  rather  infectious,  two  or  more  getting  it  from  a  com- 
mon source.  The  inflammation  is  located  in  the  subcutaneous 
tissue,  and  the  tumors  may  be  found  in  the  internal  organs.     In- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  173 

oculation  with  the  serum  from  the  ulcers  does  not  seem  to  pro- 
duce the  disease.  The  cause  of  it  is  not  really  known.  It  is  be- 
lieved to  arise  from  filth.  It  seems  to  occur  in  horses  which  have 
not  been  kept  clean  and  whose  harnesses  have  never  been  cleaned. 
The  harness  rubs  against  the  skin  until  the  surface  is  raw  and  an 
ulcer  forms.  If  the  ulcer  heals  it  will  eventually  return.  This 
condition  interferes  with  the  welfare  of  the  animal  and  he  runs 
down  in  flesh,  getting  thin  and  worthless.  In  India  it  is  con- 
sidered a  hereditary  disease  and  animals  so  afifected  are  con- 
demned for  breeding  purposes.  The  raw  surfaces  of  these  ulcers 
itch  a  great  deal  and  the  itching  seems  to  be  mainly  around  the 
outside  of  the  ulcer,  which  is  slightly  raised.  Two  or  three  of 
these  ulcers  may  start  in  the  same  region  and  by  spreading  they 
will  become  confluent. 

Treatment. — The  hygiene  is  considered  important.  See  that 
everything  is  cleaned  up  and  prevent  the  harness  from  rubbing 
the  sores.  The  horse  should  have  a  liberal  diet  and  be  fed  on 
o-ood  nutritious  food.  Prevent  the  horse  from  scratching  or  bit- 
ing  the  raw  surfaces  if  possible.  If  called  early  extirpate  the 
inflammatory  area  if  it  is  not  too  large.  In  addition  to  this  give 
rational  treatment.  The  sores  of  bursatti  are  similar  to  the  so- 
called  summer  sores  although  there  is  a  distinction.  Neither  will 
endure  winter. 

The   following  is   a  summer  sore  lotion  which   seems  to  be 

effectual  in  some  cases : 

Spts.    Vini   Eecti    drams  xiss 

Acetic    Acid    drams  iss 

Phenol    (liquid)     drams  ivss 

Euealvptol    M  ij 

Caramel    grains  iss 

Aqua  q.  s ounces  iv 

^     Sig^ — Apply    to    sore    3    times    daily    with    soft 
brush  or  swab. 

To  prepare  dissolve  the  eucalyptol  in  the  alcohol ;  dissolve  the 
caramel  in  Ho  O,  then  add  the  acetic  acid  and  phenol  and  shake. 


174  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

BOTRYOMYCOSIS. 

Closely  related  to  biirsatti  is  the  disease  called  botryomycosis 
and  it  is  often  difficult  to  differentiate  them.  In  botryomycosis 
the  tumors  which  go  on  to  ulceration  are  due  to  the  invasion  of  a 
microorganism  called  the  botroyomyces.  The  tumors  which  are 
formed  are  inflammatory  growths,  often  of  very  large  size. 
Scirrhous  cord  may  be  caused  by  this  microbe.  The  tumors 
should  be  removed  with  a  knife  and  all  the  parts  of  the  growth 
thoroughly  cut  out  as  the  botryomyces  invade  the  outer  zone  of 
the  tissue.  In  the  discharge  from  the  abscess  colonies  of  the 
microbe  may  be  found  but  these  are  the  older  organisms  and  are 
not  as  active  as  those  in  the  outer  parts  of  the  tumor.  The  knife 
seems  to  be  the  only  treatment,  although  the  summer  sore  lotion 
has  been  tried  with  some  results.  The  knife  should  always  be 
applied  to  scirrhous  cord. 

CORN  STALK  DISEASE. 

Horses  and  cattle  die  from  a  disease  known  as  corn  stalk 
disease  when  turned  into  a  stalk  field  in  December  and  January. 
In  these  months  the  disease  seems  to  be  prevalent.  The  animals 
eat  the  nubbins  and  stalks  and  suddenly  they  come  down  with 
an  affliction  and  next  morning  are  found  dead.  It  is  supposed 
that  they  get  the  disease  from  the  corn  stalks.  Animals  that  get 
a  mild  attack  do  not  die  so  early  but  become  delirious  or  at  other 
times  may  become  stupid  and  finally  die  in  a  comatose  condition. 
This  shows  that  the  disease  is  due  to  some  toxin.  All  animals 
which  contract  the  disease  die  from  it  sooner  or  later. 

Prevention  is  better  than  cure.  Remedial  treatment  seems  to 
be  useless.  Prevent  by  keeping  the  stock  out  of  the  fields.  Cut 
the  stalks  early  enough  to  make  good  fodder  and  there  will  be 
no  corn  stalk  disease. 

SURRA. 

Surra  is  a  constitutional  disease  of  the  infectious  type.  The 
infection  is  not  carried  from  animal  to  animal  but  is  due  to  the 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE. 


175 


introduction  into  the  animal  of  a  h?ematozoon  known  as  the  try- 
panosoma  Evansi.  This  parasite  has  a  long  whip-like  body  with 
a  tail  something  like  a  flagellum.  The  parasite  was  discovered 
by  Evans.  The  organisms  may  be  taken  into  the  body  through 
the  medium  of  the  food  and  water,  but  it  is  believed  now  that 
they  are  inoculated  into  the  host  by  some  certain  insect,  such  as  a 
certain  kind  of  fly  or  mosquito.  The  disease  affects  the  horses 
usually  in  the  low,  swampy  regions.  It  is  called  trypanosomiasis. 
From  the  alimentary  tract  the  parasite  enters  the  blood  and  more 
or  less  disorganizes  it,  producing  great  debility,  emaciation,  fever, 
capricious  appetite  and  finally  death  through  syncope  and  col- 
lapse in  from  6  weeks  to  6  months. 

Post  Mortem. — There  are  no  post  mortem  lesions  found. 
There  is  a  disease  found  in  the  northwestern  part  of  this  country 
and  in  Canada  and  Montreal  called  Swamp  fever  or  Swamp  dis- 
ease. It  has  the  symptoms  of  surra  but  the  trypanosome  has 
not  been  found  in  the  blood  nor  are  the  lesions  at  post  specfiic. 
Surra  is  very  prevalent  in  the  Philippine  Islands. 

Treatment. — Xo  known  therapeutic  treatment  has  had  any 
effect  so  that  preventive  measures  are  the  only  ones  which  can 
be  counted  on.  Keep  the  horses  on  high  land  or  drain  the  low 
swampy  places.  If  the  horse  takes  the  disease  this  can  be  rec- 
ognized by  the  peculiar  symptoms.  The  animal  will  run  down 
rapidly  and  in  a  few  weeks  generally  dies.  It  is  presumed  that 
the  trypanosomata  are  excreted  in  the  feces  and  urine  and  these 
products  should  therefore  be  taken  care  of  as  far  as  possible  or 
else  the  animal  killed. 

INFLUENZA. 

The  word  influenza  comes  from  the  Latin  word  meaning  "in- 
fluence." The  disease  was  so  named  in  human  medicine  on  ac- 
count of  the  influence  the  planets  are  supposed  to  have  upon  the 
atmospheric  conditions  and  the  resultant  changes  upon  the  ani- 
mal life  on  the  earth.  No  disease  spreads  so  rapidly  as  in- 
fluenza. The  especial  cause  has  been  attributed  to  several  dift'er- 
ent  micro-organisms.  Pfeiffer  isolated  a  bacillus  which  he 
thought  was  the  specific  cause  and  called  it  by  his  own  name. 


176  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Kitasato  and  Canon  corroborated  Pfeiffer's  discovery.  Ehrlich 
claimed  that  the  germ  was  a  streptococcus.  Influenza  is  recog- 
nized today  as  a  contagious  disease  but  the  means  of  communi- 
cation are  not  known,  probably  it  is  through  the  alimentary  tract. 
The  germs  may  be  taken  into  the  respiratory  tract  first  and  then 
when  expelled,  lodge  in  the  pharynx  and  are  swallowed.  It  is 
thought  that  horses  get  the  disease  from  eating  and  drinking 
from  common  receptacles.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  their  drink- 
ing water  constantly  running  and  this  will  carry  away  any  foreign 
matter  that  may  accumulate.  The  disease  is  not  atmospheric  but 
it  travels  along  the  lines  of  commerce.  The  atmosphere  may  in- 
fluence it  to  the  extent  that  a  decrease  in  ozone  will  produce  de- 
pression while  an  increase  in  the  ozone  stimulates  the  animal. 

Influenza  is  a  blood  disease  and  it  produces  catarrhal  dis- 
charges from  all  the  mucous  membranes. 

Semeiology. — The  disease  presents  different  symptoms  ac- 
cording to  whether  it  is  involved  with  complications  or  not.  The 
symptoms  of  the  uncomplicated  form  of  the  disease  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Great  nervous  depression  and  languor  with  high  fever. 
During  the  first  twenty-four  hours  the  fever  is  about  106  and 
then  it  falls  to  105  or  103.  The  animal  is  inclined  to  lie  down 
more  or  less,  his  legs  swell,  the  swellings  are  sore  under  palpa- 
tion, and  he  generally  loses  his  appetite.  After  twenty-four 
hours  there  is  a  profuse  discharge  from  the  nose  and  after  forty- 
eight  hours  a  marked  loosening  of  the  bowels,  and  the  mucous 
membranes  are  usually  icteric.  The  inflammation  sometimes  at- 
tacks the  urinary  apparatus  and  produces  profuse  micturition. 
If  the  animal  is  not  well  blanketed  his  coat  stares,  breathing  is 
accelerated  and  the  mucous  membranes  are  injected.  The  head 
hangs,  the  ears  and  the  eyelids  droop.  In  the  corners  of  the  eye 
is  coagulated  mucous.  Often  the  throat  is  sore  and  there  is  a 
troublesome  cough.  This  cough  is  inclined  to  remain  with  the 
animal  and  become  chronic.  It  is  thought  by  some  that  this  dis- 
ease produces  roaring  and  this  cannot  be  disputed. 

In  the  uncomplicated  case  the  fever  generally  goes  down  to 
normal  in  three  or  four  days  and  the  appetite  is  regained  and 
the  animal  makes  a  good  recovery  in  from  five  to  ten  days.  The 
discharge  subsides  and  the  animal  seems  to  be  none  the  worse 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  177 

for  the  attack.     It  is  thought  that  one  attack  renders  the  animal 
immune  for  at  least  six  months. 

The  complications  of  influenza  involve  the  lungs  in  the  form 
of  broncho-pneumonia,  which  is  always  of  tlie  contagious  va- 
riety and  the  symptoms  are  those  of  a  grave  pneumonia;  the 
symptoms  being  rapid  exhaustion,  loss  of  appetite  and  exacer- 
bation of  fever — animal  dies  in  5-10  days  if  recovery  does  not 
take  place. 

Diagnosis. — The  diagnosis  of  influenza  is  based  upon  the  con- 
tinued fever,  with  great  depression  and  symptoms  of  rapidly  de- 
veloping icteric,  dark  colored  mucous  membranes  and  swelline 
of  the  legs.  The  evidence  of  colic  and  congestion  which  is  fol- 
lowed by  diarrhoea  indicates  a  complication  of  enteritis.  The 
diagnosis  of  brain  trouble  is  based  upon  the  excessive  violence 
which  interrupts  the  otherwise  continual  stupor  of  the  animal. 

Prognosis. — Influenza  is  a  serious  disease  principally  on  ac- 
count of  the  complications.  Uncomplicated  influenza  is  only 
fatal  in  1-5  per  cent  of  the  cases. 

Treatment. — While  the  appetite  remains  the  patient  should 
have  a  moderate  quantity  of  hay,  good  oats  and  bran;  or  even 
a  little  fresh  clover,  if  obtainable,  can  be  given  in  small  quan- 
tities. The  sick  horse  should  be  placed  in  a  well-ventilated  stall. 
To  reduce  the  temperature  give  one  dram  of  acetanilid  every 
two  to  four  hours.  The  acetanilid  may  be  used  with  alcohol 
and  strychnine.  The  patient  must  be  blanketed.  Never  give  a 
laxative  of  any  sort,  for  the  enteric  mucosa  is  in  so  sensitive  a 
state  that  half  a  pint  of  raw  oil,  or  one  ounce  of  sulphate  of  soda 
might  precipitate  enteritis  and  cause  death.  If  founder  occurs, 
it  is  difficult  to  treat.  When  recognized,  hot  or  cold  applica- 
tions are  useful. 

PURPURA  HAEMORRHAGICA, 

Purpura  hemorrhagica  (French,  anasarca)  is  frequently  one 
of  the  sequelae  of  influenza.  It  is  an  infectious  disease  though 
not  contagious.  There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  spe- 
cific germ  of  this  disease.  Tizzoni,  in  1889,  found  a  bacillus 
which  he  considered  the  specific  germ.     Babes  corroborated  it 


178  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

in  1890  and  Kolb  in  1891.  After  this  Marmorek  of  the  Pasteur 
Institute  claimed  that  the  streptococcus  was  the  cause.  Although 
the  disease  may  follow  influenza  yet  it  may  often  develop  and 
run  its  course  as  an  original  disease. 

This  disease  is  characterized  by  the  destruction  of  the  blood 
elements  on  a  large  scale.  The  blood  becomes  thin  and  oozes 
out  through  the  pores  into  dependent  parts  by  diapedesis ;  it  may 
be  circumscribed  or  diffused  when  it  produces  purple  spots  or 
patches  (ecchymoses). 

It  occurs  as  an  original  disease  in  badly  ventilated  and  badly 
drained  stables  or  as  a  sequel  to  debilitating  fevers. 

Symptoms. — The  fever  is  regular  and  quite  persistent  at  104. 
The  legs  swell  and  when  the  swelling  gets  above  the  knees  and 
hocks  it  terminates  abruptly.  The  swelling  creeps  higher  and 
higher  and  in  three  or  four  davs  the  lips  begin  to  swell  and  the 
eyelids  become  bloated.  There  is  also  a  pendulous  swelling  un- 
der the  abdomen.  Early  in  the  disease  the  mucous  membranes 
are  ecchymotic,  the  spots  varying  in  size  from  ^  to  %  inch  in 
diameter.     They  may  be  seen  on  all  the  mucous  membranes. 

In  some  severe  cases  there  is  a  fetid  discharge  from  the  nose. 
The  mouth  fills  with  a  ropy  saliva.  A  yellowish,  gummy  liquid 
comes  out  through  the  skin  on  the  legs  and  trickles  down  the 
hair.  The  swelling  is  so  great  as  to  prevent  the  horse  from  eat- 
ing and  it  diminishes  the  caliber  of  the  air  passage  and  causes 
wheezy  breathing. 

When  the  symptoms  develop  as  above  described  the  horse 
usually  dies  within  5-15  days.  The  five-day  course  accompanies 
the  disease  of  an  original  lesion;  the  fifteen  days  course  is  the 
result  of  some  other  previous  disease.  The  kidneys  are  usually 
inactive  sometimes  to  the  extent  of  complete  ischuria,  'and  toward 
the  latter  end  of  the  disease  the  horse  may  have  bloody  diarrhoea 
and  colics.  Sometimes  more  or  less  extensive  sloughing  of  the 
skin  takes  place.     This  is  an  indication  of  a  very  severe  case. 

Post  Mortem. — Upon  opening  the  body  we  find  ecchymotic 
extravasations  everywhere,  especially  on  the  mucous  membranes. 
In  addition  there  is  more  or  less  general  infiltration.  All  parts 
are  oedematous.     The  large  bowels  will  show  quite  a  liquid  eon- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  179 

dition  of  the  contents,  which  are  bloody.     The  blood  itself  is  thin 
and  coagulates  very  slowly. 

Treatment. — The  serum  treatment  would  be  the  best  for  its 
action  upon  the  blood  would  kill  the  germs.  Marmorek  man- 
'ifactured  a  serum  which  has  been  used  with  good  results  in  some 
cases  and  in  others  not.  Use  antiseptics  and  stimulants  inter- 
nally. Bichromate  of  potassium  in  one  to  three  grain  doses  in 
one  or  two  ounces  of  water  given  2-3  times  a  day  will  tend  to 
destroy  the  germs  in  the  blood.  In  connection  with  this  use 
tincture  of  iron  and  sweet  spirits  nitre  in  liberal  doses.  Some 
add  a  little  quinine.     The  prescription  is  as  follows: 

Tr.  Ferri.  CMo ounce  ij 

Quinini  Sulph dram  iv 

Spts.  Nit.   Ether ounce  iv 

Aqua   q.   s pint  j 

M.  Sig. — Give  2  ounces  every  4  hours  in  a  moderate 
case,  but  if  the  case  is  bad  give  it  every  2  hours. 

In  addition  to  this  give  the  bichromate.  Do  not  give  a  febri- 
fuge. 

The  iron  has  double  action  as  it  helps  make  the  red  blood 
corpuscles  regenerate  and  tends  to  limit  the  hemorrhage  by  its 
astringent  action  upon  the  blood  vessels. 

If  the  muzzle  begins  to  swell  bathe  it  with  warm  water.  In 
a  bad  case  keep  a  man  at  this  treatment  all  the  time,  night  and 
day.  The  warm  water  drives  the  oedema  to  some  other  part 
where  it  is  not  so  dangerous.  Never  tap  the  swellings  as  slough- 
ing will  follow.  The  fluid  will  not  flow  out.  In  case  the  dyspnoea 
interferes  with  the  respiration  perform  tracheotomy,  but  an 
operation  upon  a  horse  with  purpura  is  apt  to  be  dangerous  and 
fatal.  Keep  the  horse  quiet  and  feed  him  generously  with  oats, 
corn,  bran,  etc.  All  mild  cases  recover,  but  40-60  per  cent  of 
the  cases  are  fatal. 

SCARLATINA. 

Scarlatina  is  a  very  infectious  disease,  closely  related  to  pur- 
pura, but  it  has  some  prominent  differentiating  features.  Some 
have  thought  it  a  milder  form  of  purpura  but  they  have  over- 
looked important  features.     Scarlatina  comes  on  oftener  as  an 


180  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

original  disease  than  purpura.  In  scarlatina  the  hemorrhage  is 
in  the  form  of  petechise  and  the  blood  spots  are  scarlet,  while  in 
purpura  they  are  purple.  In  scarlatina  there  is  always  some  sore 
throat,  in  purpura  never.  The  swellings  in  scarlatina  are  usually 
in  patches  and  lumps  usually  on  the  trunk,  while  in  purpura  the 
legs  swell  and  also  the  abdomen.  The  swellings  are  smooth  while 
in  scarlatina  they  are  lumpy.  In  scarlatina  the  lymphatic  glands 
suppurate,  while  in  purpura  they  never  do.  In  both  diseases  the 
fever  and  pulse  are  about  the  same.  Animals  usually  recover 
from  scarlatina  while  in  purpura  many  die. 

Treatment. — A  case  of  scarlatina  is  apt  to  hang  on  for  two 
or  three  weeks  without  any  change,  while  a  case  of  purpura  gets 
better  or  worse  within  a  week.  In  scarlatina  we  have  to  treat 
the  sore  throat.  Put  counter-irritants  and  bandages  on  the  throat 
and  use  such  antiseptics  as  guaiacol.  Give  quinine  in  larger 
doses  than  for  purpura.  Give  iron  gargle  for  the  throat  and 
keep  the  horse  mildly  stimulated  with  nitrous  ether.  In  some 
bad  cases  the  throat  ulcerates  and  then  it  is  a  good  plan  to  swab 
the  throat  with  nitrate  of  silver.  Use  the  swab  on  the  end  of  a 
long  stick. 

Scarlatina  in  the  horse  seems  to  conform  with  scarlet  fever 
in  the  human  but  purpura  has  no  similarity  whatever.  So  far  as 
the  relationship  between  scarlatina  and  purpura  is  concerned 
it  is  found  that  scarlatina  runs  into  purpura  before  death,  but 
this  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  the  two  diseases  are  the  same. 
It  is  seldovm  that  animals  die  from  scarlatina. 

Post  Mortem. — In  scarlatina  there  is  an  absence  of  the  gen- 
eral infiltration  that  is  seen  in  purpura.  There  is  difference 
enough  to  warrant  us  in  saying  that  the  two  diseases  are  not  the 
same. 

INFECTIOUS  ANEMIA. 

This  disease,  known  also  by  other  names,  such  as  Pernicious 
Anemia,  Swamp  Fever,  Mountain  Fever,  American  Surra,  Ma- 
larial Fever,  Typhoid  Fever  of  Horses,  the  Unknown  Disease,  No 
Name  Disease  and  Plains  Paralysis,  is  more  or  less  prevalent  in 
Texas,  Nevada,   Kansas,  Nebraska,  Colorado,  Wyoming,  Mon- 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  181 

tana,   North   and   South  Dakota,   Illinois,   Iowa,   Manitoba   and 
several  countries  in  Europe. 

It  has  been  under  investigation  for  the  last  three  years  by 
Drs.  John  R.  :\Iohler,  M.  Francis,  R.  P.  :\Iarsteller,  Winfred  B. 
Mack,  A.  T.  Kinsley,  L.  \^an  Es,  and  others. 

It  is  a  distinctly  infectious  disease  affecting  horses,  mules  and 
asses.  It  used  to  be  supposed  to  be  confined  to  swampy  regions, 
but  within  the  last  three  years  has  been  found  in  altitudes  as 
great  as  7,500  feet. 

Etiology. — The  specific  virus  has  not  yet  been  isolated,  but  it 
is  known  to  be  specific  by  inoculation  with  the  blood  and  blood 
serum  producing  the  disease,  even  after  the  serum  has  been  fil- 
tered through  a  fine  Pasteur  "filter,  consequently  the  virus  must 
be  infinitesimally  small,  or  a  toxine. 

Dr.  Van  Es  has  recently,  1911,  found  that  the  urine  and  feces 
contain  the  virus,  and  that  horses  eating  the  litter  soiled  by 
horses  with  this  disease  develop  it.  The  Pasteur  filter  would 
remove  all  known  bacteria  and  protozoa. 

Semeiology. — It  is  characterized  by  progressive  anemia  and 
remittent  fever.  The  horses  become  dull,  listless,  weak  and 
finally  stagger;  the  temperature  may  run  as  high  as  106  for  a 
few  days,  then  gradually  fall  to  102  and  stay  around  that  point 
for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  then  rise  again  for  a  week ;  the  pulse 
becomes  rapid,  small,  hard  and  thready,  and  jugular  pulse  is  seen 
after  a  few  weeks.  The  mucus  membranes  gradually  become 
paler  and  paler;  sometimes  they  develop  a  yellowish  or  even  a 
mahogany  color  in  some  cases.  They  also  occasionally  present 
hemorrhage  spots  (petechiae).  Oedematous  enlargements  on  the 
under  side  of  the  belly,  sheath,  mammae  and  legs.  There  are  pro- 
found changes  in  the  blood.  The  red  corpuscles  from  a  normal 
of  seven  million  per  cubic  millimeter  sometimes  drop  as  low  as 
two  millions.  There  is  little  or  no  change  in  the  number  of  white 
corpuscles.  The  blood  becomes  thin  and  watery.  The  appetite 
usually  remains  good  throughout  the  course  of  the  disease. 

Post  Mortem. — Great  emaciation  and  loss  of  fat  are  seen,  all 
parts  are  extremely  pale.  Local  hemorrhages  may  be  seen,  espe- 
cially in  and  around  the  heart,  which  is  generally  enlarged.  The 
lungs  are  studded  with  petechiae,  and  there  is   besides  a  little 


182  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

serum  in  the  plural  cavity,  also  in  the  pericardium.  The  liver  is 
usually  sound,  with  the  exception  of  possibly  slight  areas  of  de- 
generation. The  spleen  is  somewhat  enlarged  and  covered  with 
petechias.  The  kidneys  are  anemic  and  flaccid  and  usually  show, 
microscopically,  a  chronic  parenchymatous  degeneration.  The 
lymph  glands  are  usually  enlarged  and  hemorrhagic. 

Prognosis. — Prognosis  is  very  unfavorable.  They  practically 
all  die,  although  a  few,  perhaps  15%  or  20%,  may  yield  more  or 
less  to  treatment,  and  live  along  for  two  or  three  years,  but 
finally  succumb.     No  horse  was  ever  known  to  fully  recover. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  is  very  disappointing,  but  systemic 
treatment  would  be  as  follows:  In  the  earlier  stages  reduce  the 
fever  with  actetanilid  and  cold  sponge  baths.  Stimulants,  such 
as  nux  vomica  and  alcohol,  are  indicated  for  the  pulse.  For  the 
blood  give  tincture  of  iron  and  Fowler's  solution  of  arsenic  in 
liberal  doses.  In  all  probability  the  arsenic  is  the  only  remedy 
that  has  much,  if  any,  efifect,  Isolate  the  affected  horse  from  the 
healthy  ones  and  burn  all  of  his  litter  and  disinfect  the  stable 
daily  with  a  5%  solution  of  U.  S.  P.  Liquor  Cresolis,  or  any 
other  coal  tar  emulsion,  and  sprinkle  the  floor  occasionally  with 
air  slacked  lime,  or  chloride  of  lime.  Investigations  are  in 
progress  with  a  view  of  producing  a  vaccine  or  serum  that  will 
protect  the  healthy  horsjss  where  the  disease  is  prevalent. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Rheumatism  is  a  non-contagious  disease  that  arises  in  the 
body  and  it  is  not  specific.  It  is  a  very  peculiar  constitutional 
disease.  Its  real  character  is  not  known,  but  old  theories  at- 
tribute it  to  an  excess  of  some  natural  acid  in  the  blood,  such  as 
lactic  acid,  uric  acid,  etc.  This  is  evidence  of  indigestion  and 
in  every  case  of  rheumatism  we  can  trace  the  condition  back  to 
some  form  of  stomach  disturbance.  In  herbivora  we  have  more 
hippuric  acid  than  in  other  animals  and  if  this  runs  to  excess  we 
are  apt  to  get  rheumatism. 

Rheumatism  is  divided  into  various  classes  according  to  the 
part  affected.  For  instance,  we  have  rheumatic  fever.  In  such 
a  case  the  whole  svstem  is  affected  and  there  is  no  localization  of 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  183 

the  affection.  It  is  generally  fatal  if  the  animal  is  not  very 
strong.  Death  comes  either  from  endocarditis  or  from  valvulitis 
or  both.  Occasionally  death  is  due  to  pericarditis.  Another 
form  of  the  disease  is  found  in  the  localization  of  the  trouble  in 
the  loin  and  it  is  then  called  lumbago.  When  it  attacks  the  nerves 
it  is  called  neuralgia.  The  nerve  usually  affected  is  the  trifacial 
nerve.  If  the  disease  locates  in  the  muscles  it  is  called  muscular 
rheumatism.  Sometimes  it  attacks  the  sciatic  nerve  and  then  it 
is  sciatica.  When  it  attacks  the  joints  it  is  called  articular  rheu- 
matism. The  disease  is  inclined  to  attack  the  synoval  mem- 
branes of  the  joints  and  tendons  and  it  frequently  jumps  about 
from  one  place  to  another  and  is  called  flying  rheumatism  or 
metastatic  rheumatism.  It  then  seems  to  leave  the  part  of  the 
body  first  affected. 

Rheumatism  may  be  either  acute  or  chronic. 

There  are  some  who  do  not  consider  rheumatism  to  be  a 
specific  disease,  but  claim  that  it  is  only  a  shield  for  ignorance. 
Sir  Richard  Christison  found  that  by  injecting  a  dog  with  lactic 
acid  he  could  produce  rheumatism.  Many  are  now  looking  for 
the  specfnc  germ  of  rheumatism.  The  disease  is,  probably, 
largely  hereditary.  The  exciting  cause  may  be  due  to  faulty 
assimilation  as  is  seen  in  dogs  fed  on  meat  only.  In  some  cases 
it  occurs  without  any  apparent  exciting  cause  but  there  is  usually 
exposure  to  cold  and  dampness.  Animals  that  are  left  out  in 
bad  weather  are  apt  to  get  rheumatism. 

Scmciologw — Rheumatic  fever  usually  starts  with  a  tempera- 
ture of  104  or  more  but  sometimes  not  over  103.  A  rheumatic 
animal  is  more  or  less  stiff  and  not  inclined  to  move.  The  ap- 
petite is  good  and  does  not  vary  much.  The  animal  may  or  may 
not  lie  down.  The  pulse  is  increased  in  frequency  and  hardness. 
It  runs  about  45  to  60. 

The  fever  can  be  reduced  with  acetanilid  but  as  soon  as  the 
drug  is  stopped  the  fever  will  come  back  again.  If  a  little  of  the 
blood  is  drawn  it  will  coagulate  very  quickly.  After  the  disease 
has  been  running  for  ten  days  or  a  few  weeks  the  animal  may  die 
suddenly.  Or  if  he  lingers  along  he  loses  flesh.  His  legs  swell 
and  you  get  a  jugular  pulse.  He  may  live  in  this  condition  for 
several  weeks. 


184  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

Post  Mortem. — Post  mortem  shows  that  the  trouble  is  in  the 
heart,  which  may  give  evidence  of  endocarditis,  valvuHtis  or 
pericarditis.  In  all  cases  the  animal  is  liable  to  die  suddenly 
from  syncope.  In  inflammatory  rheumatism  the  joints  swell  but 
never  run  to  suppuration  unless  bruised.  The  parts  are  sore  and 
produce  great  lameness.  If  left  to  run  its  own  course  the  in- 
flammation is  apt  to  run  five  or  six  weeks.  It  usually  leaves  the 
joints  permanently  enlarged,  especially  if  in  the  hock.  Metastatic 
or  flying  rheumatism  is  inclined  to  attack  the  sheaths  of  the 
tendons  in  the  legs.  The  disease  migrates  from  one  leg  to  an- 
other 6ut  is  usually  constant.  The  horse  never  recovers  from 
rheumatic  arthritis  after  ossification  of  the  exudates  takes  place 
and  has  what  is  called  chronic  rheumatism. 

Sciatica  comes  on  suddenly.  The  horse  steps  short  with  the 
affected  leg  and  does  not  want  to  be  backed  up ;  the  act  of  backing 
up  seems  to  cause  muscular  pressure  and  it  consequently  causes 
pain.  If  he  is  made  to  back  up  he  will  carry  the  leg  that  is 
affected  with  rheumatism.  Upon  manipulating  the  sciatic  region 
you  can  detect  the  soreness.  In  neuralgia  rheumatism  attacks 
the  fifth  nerve.  The  horse  will  hold  his  head  tipped  more  or 
less  and  there  is  twitching  of  the  facial  muscles  and  partial  clos- 
ing of  the  eye.  The  horse  is  disinclined  to  move  and  shows  many 
evidences  of  distress.  Pressure  upon  the  part  will  cause  him  to 
wince.     Neuralgia  is  not  very  common  in  the  horse. 

Lumbago. — When  this  condition  attacks  a  horse  he  will  show 
stiffness,  will  turn  with  difficulty  and  will  not  move  readily.  His 
back  will  be  arched.  In  bad  cases  he  is  likely  to  lie  down  and 
then  is  unable  to  rise,  perhaps  for  a  week  or  two. 

Semeiology. — The  symptoms  of  lumbago  are  well  marked  in 
the  dog.  The  subacute  form  sometimes  attacks  the  intercostal 
muscles  and  is  called  pleurodynia.  It  closely  resembles  pleurisy 
but  in  pleurodynia  there  is  no  fever  and  auscultation  reveals  no 
friction  sound.  It  resembles  pleurisy  in  its  fixed  condition  of 
the  ribs,  soreness  of  the  intercostal  muscles,  careful  breathing, 
turning  out  of  the  elbows,  etc. 

A  subacute  attack  in  the  muscles  of  the  neck  seems  to  cause 
contraction  of  the  neck  muscles  so  that  the  head  is  turned  to 


OF  VETERINARV  MEDICINE.  185 

one  side.  On  the  concave  side  of  the  neck  the  muscles  stand 
out  prominent  and  are  called  the  cords  of  "torti  colis." 

In  musculir  rheumatism  the  horse  has  a  stiff  action  and  is  dis- 
inclined to  move.  He  has  probably  been  exposed  to  cold  drafts 
and  consequently  caught  cold  in  his  muscles. 

Rheumatism  is  not  fatal  unless  it  attacks  the  heart,  v^hich 
it  does  in  two  forms.  When  the  spasmodic  pain  attacks  the 
heart  it  is  called  angina  pectoris.  In  the  human  there  is  the  sen- 
sation of  suffocation.  The  presumption  is  that  if  the  heart  is 
interfered  with  it  may  produce  death  by  spasm  of  the  heart  but 
this  cannot  be  detected  in  the  horse. 

Acute  rheumatism  in  the  form  of  rheumatic  fever  is  never 
fatal  unless  it  attacks  the  heart.  In  this  case  only  a  few  cases 
recover. 

Subacute  or  Chronic. — From  what  is  known  we  find  that  this 
form  of  rheumatism  generally  attacks  older  animals.  When  it 
attacks  older  animals  it  is  more  mild.  The  attacks  are  painful, 
but  not  dangerous.  The  synovial  membranes  may  become  af- 
fected but  when  the  disease  locates  in  the  muscles  it  often  be- 
comes chronic.  In  old  horses  it  may  cause  sudden  and  severe 
lameness  which  may  leave  in  a  few  minutes,  or  it  may  last  for 
hours.  In  dissecting  a  case  like  this  you  will  find  calcareous  de- 
posits in  the  synovial  fringes.  It  is  supposed  that  this  calcified 
fringe  gets  in  between  the  two  bearing  surfaces  and  causes  the 
lameness.  If  the  horse  is  compelled  to  proceed  the  deposit  is 
pushed  back  in  place  and  the  lameness  ceases. 

Torti  colis  may  be  caused  by  violence  and  rupture  of  the  lig- 
amentous attachment  to  cervical  vertebra  on  one  side  of  the 
neck  and  this  makes  the  head  turn  in  the  opposite  direction.  In 
the  very  young  animals  this  can  be  cured  by  means  of  splints 
on  the  neck.  This  form  of  torti  colis  is  not  rheumatic  in  its 
nature. 

Treatment  of  the  Acute. — In  rheumatism  there  is  an  un- 
healthy condition  of  the  blood.  Therefore  antiseptics  are  indi- 
cated with  the  general  idea  of  increasing  the  alkalinity  of  the 
blood  and  of  changing  the  urine  from  acid  to  alkaline.  Particu- 
lar attention  should  be  paid  to  the  digestion.  Salines  are 
effectual.     Salicylate  of  soda  should  be  given  in  liberal  doses. 


186  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Give  three  dram  doses  every  hour  night  and  day  for  ten  to  fifteen 
days  in  order  to  get  the  desired  effect.  The  best  treatment  known 
is  salicylate  alkaloid  of  oil  of  wintergreen  (aspirin),  but  this  is 
very  expensive.     The  human  dose  is  'five  grains  every  four  hours. 

Other  salines  are  nitrate  of  potash,  one  dram  three  times  a 
day,  sulphate  of  magnesium  and  all  of  the  laxative  salts,  iodide 
of  potash,  vegetable  alteratives,  etc. 

The  following  is  good  treatment: 
B 

Sodii   Salicyl    ounce  vi 

Fl.  Ex.  Colcliici   ounce  ij 

Aqua  qs.  ad pint     ij 

M.  Sig. — 2  ounces  every  4  hours  night  and  day. 

The  first  remedy  you  adopt  should  be  used  for  about  ten 
days  and  then  switch  to  some  other.  An  acute  case  seems  to  run 
a  course  of  about  six  weeks.  If  you  have  been  using  the  pre- 
scription given  above  then  change  to  sulphate  of  magnesium. 

It  is  useless  to  apply  stimulating  liniments.  An  application 
of  chloroform  for  a  few  minutes,  which  is  allowed  to  evaporate., 
will  allay  the  pain.     The  following  is  a  good  liniment: 

Tr,  Arnica 
Tr.  Aconite 

Tr.   Opii aa  ounce  j 

Chloroform    dram    j 

Aqua  qs,  ad , ounce  viii 

In  all  acute  cases  of  rheumatic  lameness  and  swelling  a  fly 
blister  is  very  beneficial. 

LYMPHANGITIS. 

This  is  an  inflammation  of  the  lymphatic  ducts.  Lymphadenitis 
is  inflammation  of  the  lymphatic  glands.  There  are  four  forms 
of  lymphangitis,  plethoric,  anaemic,  mycotic  or  epizootic  and 
septic.  The  acute  plethoric  form,  develops  suddenly  in  horses 
that  are  plethoric  and  working  every  day,  but  laid  off  for  a 
holiday  or  a  Sunday.  The  plethoric  condition  of  the  horse 
while  at  rest  is  the  etiological  factor  in  the  case.  It  may  attack 
any  part  of  the  body  but  generally  one  of  the  hind  legs.  It  is 
usually  found  in  the  morning  after  a  day  of  rest,  such  as  Mon- 


/ 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE. 


187 


day,  for  instance.  This  disease  is  called  by  some  Monday 
morning  sickness.  In  Scotland  it  is  called  the  ''weed."  In 
England  it  is  called  the  ''shot  of  grease"  or  the  "shakes."  The 
affected  lymphatics  swell  and  become  inflamed. 

Pathogenesis.— T\\^  blood  is  plethoric  and  the  lymphatic  ducts 
become  congested  on  account  of  overwork.  We  presume  that 
in  such  a  case  the  metabolism  during  the  forty-eight  hours  previ- 
ous to  the  attack  has  been  slight  and  the  nutrition  great  enough  to 
clog  the  lymphatic  ducts.  This  seems  to  act  much  the  same  as 
active  congestion  in  altering  the  nutrition  of  the  part.  The  in- 
flammation may  be  so  severe  as  to  run  into  the  third  stage  and 
may  result  in  an  abscess. 

Symptoms.— li  the  horse  is  in  a  warm  stable  he  will  be  found 
in  the  morning  with  a  chill,  which  is  sometimes  very  severe.     The 
severity  of  the  attack  depends  upon  the  severity  of  this  chill.     In 
the  course  of  a  couple  of  hours  the  doctor  will  be  called  and  when 
he  arrives  he  will  find  the  horse  lame  in  a  hind  leg.     The  tempera- 
ture will  be  about  106.     The  swelling  increases  rapidly  and  runs 
down  the  inside  of  the  leg  in  the  inguinal  chain  of  lymphatics 
and  varies  in  size  from  the  size  of  a  'finger  to  that  of  a  wrist. 
By  the  end  of  the  first  day  the  whole  leg  becomes  involved  from 
the  foot  to  the  stifle.     When  the  inflammation  subsides  it  will 
leave  the  leg  large  for  at  least  ten  days  and  sometimes  perma- 
nently.    An  abscess  may  form  as  large  as  a  fist  or  it  may  hold  a 
quart  or  two  of  pus.     During  all  this  time  the  animal  is  off  his 
feed.     His  appetite  returns  as  the  fever  subsides.     One  attack 
predisposes  an  animal  to  another,  and  each  time  the  affected  leg 
is  left  a   little  larger  until  the  horse  gets  the  chronic  big  leg, 
called  Elephantiasis.     This  enlargement  is  fibroid  all  the  way  up 
the  lee  and  it  is  incurable.     If  the  enlargement  is  not  fibroid  in 
nature  then  being  oedematous,  exercise  will  help  drive  it  out. 
Trmtment.—li  called  to  an  acute  case  during  the  chill,  treat 
it  vigorously.     Give   aconite  and   alcohol   or   spirits   of   nitrous 
ether  every  fifteen  minutes  until  the  horse  begins  to  sweat  and 
keep  him  well  blanketed.  Drop  off  the  frequency  of  the  dose  as 
soon  as  the  chill  subsides.     Give  him  aconite,  spirits  of  nitrous 
etiher,  nitrate  of  potash  and  water  after  the  chill  has  subsided. 
Q\y§:  tthese  every  hour  or  two  and  take  off  some  of  the  blankets. 


188  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

In  addition  to  this  give  a  full  purgative  dose  of  aloes  and  dose 
with  acetanilid  every  hour  for  four  hours.  The  dose  should  be 
governed  by  the  weight  of  the  horse  and  the  height  of  the  fever. 
Keep  up  the  fever  mixture  until  diuresis  is  produced  and  then 
drop  off  to  every  four  hours  and  then  to  three  times  a  day.  As 
soon  as  the  treatment  has  been  started,  have  a  man  bathe  the  leg 
of  the  animal  with  warm  water.  Take  care  that  the  water  is  not 
too  hot,  for  it  will  scald  the  leg.  The  water  should  be  115  de- 
grees. The  bathing  should  be  done  three  times  a  day,  about 
an  hour  at  each  time.  It  is  very  important  to  have  the  affected 
leg  warm  and  well  wrapped.  If  this  treatment  is  persisted  in 
the  swelling  will  go  down  and  the  fever  will  subside.  Continue 
until  the  leg  is  reduced  one-half.  The  animal  should  not  be  fed 
for  forty-eight  hours.  After  the  leg  begins  to  get  better,  exercise 
should  begin.  Walk  him  around  in  a  warm  place,  each  time  in- 
creasing the  exercise,  commencing  with  about  ten  minutes.  If 
the  case  comes  to  you  neglected,  then  the  treatment  is  different. 
Give  him  purgatives  but  do  not  bathe.  Leave  out  the  ether  and 
acetanilid.  Give  him  potash  and  exercise  him.  If  the  swelling 
can  be  driven  out  the  case  is  curable,  otherwise  not. 

Stallions  and  jacks  have  sores  in  the  form  of  eczema  which 
come  from  lymphangitis.  The  sore  starts  with  a  small  pimple 
which  itches.  The  horse  either  bites  or  scratches  the  place  until 
it  becomes  raw  and  granulates  and  has  a  tendency  to  spread. 
The  treatment  consists  in  removing  the  cause.  If  feeding  is  the 
cause,  lessen  it  and  substitute  bran.  Give  a  mild  purgative.  A 
large  stallion  should  not  get  more  than  seven  drams  for  a  pur- 
gative dose.  Stallions  cannot  stand  as  much  as  a  working  horse. 
Give  a  purgative  once  a  month  and  between  the  purgations  give 
sulphate  of  sodium  night  and  morning.  For  local  treatment  mild 
applications  are  the  best.  If  much  granulation  tissue  forms 
around  the  sore  it  must  be  removed  with  the  knife  and  then  ap- 
ply the  white  lotion  three  or  four  times  a  day.  Rub  the  sore 
gently  to  remove  the  loose  scabs.  Jack  sores  are  more  difficult  to 
heal.  . 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  189 

EPIZOOTIC  LYMPHANGITIS. 

This  is  a  new  disease  in  some  parts  of  the  world  and  old  in 
others.  It  is  caused  by  a  fungus  called  the  saccharomyces  far- 
ciminosus.  The  disease  is  also  called  ulcerative  or  mycotic 
lymphangitis.  It  is  communicable  to  other  horses  by  contact 
with  anything  that  carries  the  fungus. 

The  fungus  can  grow  on  the  horse  and  mule.  After  it  enters 
the  wound  it  begins  to  grow  slowly  and  soon  starts  up  an  inflam- 
mation (in  three  weeks  to  three  months)  and  a  nodule  forms 
under  the  skin  with  hardening  and  thickening  of  the  surrounding 
lymphatic  ducts.  The  nodule  softens,  ruptures  and  discharges 
pus  and  an  indolent  ulcer  forms.  It  usually  occurs  on  one  leg, 
may  be  on  two  and  it  may  occur  on  any  part  of  the  body.  The 
poison  is  carried  from  this  point  and  it  may  break  out  anywhere. 
When  it  attacks  the  leg  it  involves  the  whole  leg  from  the  foot  to 
the  body.  A  few  cases  recover  spontaneously  and  many  are  cura- 
ble by  proper  treatment  if  applied  early.  The  rest  continue  to 
grow  worse.  Inasmuch  as  the  pus  carries  the  germ  the  disease 
is  liable  to  spread  to  other  animals.  It  is  fatal  in  ten  to  fifteen 
per  cent  of  cases.  The  pus  is  yellow  or  grayish  yellow  and  is 
often  mixed  with  blood.     Sometimes  it  contains  flakes. 

The  first  symptom  is  an  indolent  sore  covered  with  pus  and 
a  scab  surrounded  by  a  slightly  swollen  area  with  radiating 
lines  running  from  it.  The  ulcers  may  heal  slowly  and  recur  and 
the  skin  becomes  thickened.  The  affected  horse  does  not  show  any 
constitutional  disturbance  unless  the  case  is  very  advanced.  This 
disease  may  be  mistaken  for  farcy.  In  farcy  the  mallein  test  is 
positive,  and  the  pus  is  oily  or  glutinous  and  the  ulcers  are  cup- 
shaped.  In  lymphangitis  the  mallein  test  is  negative,  Hkewise 
the  Strauss  test  and  the  agglutination  test,  the  pus  is  thick  and 
creamy,  the  ulcers  are  flat  and  show  more  granulations,  and  the 
nodules  are  less  firmly  attached  to  the  skin  and  more  movable 
than  in  farcy.  There  is  an  absence  of  the  bacillus  malleus  and 
the   presence   of   the   specific    fungus,   the   saccharomyces    farci- 

minosus. 

Treatment.— U  the  case  is  gotten  early  enough  remove  all  the 
tissue  involved  with  the  knife.     If  removal  is  impracticable  open 


190  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

the  abscesses  and  treat  antiseptically.  Bichloride  1-250  or  Lugol's 
solution  or  a  solution  of  formaldehyde  1-200  are  appropriate  anti- 
septics. 

All  advanced  cases  should  be  destroyed. 

Anaemic  lymphangitis  is  not  seen  in  the  horse.  Septic  lynt^ 
phangitis  is  seen  as  a  result  of  sepsis  in  wounds  of  any  kind.  The 
parts  around  the  wound  swell,  become  painful  and  the  wound 
suppurates,  and  sometimes  small  abscesses  form  in  the  ducts  lead- 
ing from  the  wound. 

Treatment. — After  opening  the  abscesses,  local  antiseptic  wet 
packs  continuously  applied,  with  thorough  antiseptic  treatment  of 
the  original  wound,  and  stimulants  internally  will  control  it. 

AZOTURIA. 

Azoturia  is  a  non-contagious  blood  disease  of  the  plethoric 
type.  It  is  almost  if  not  entirely  peculiar  to  horses.  It  may  ex- 
ist in  the  human.  The  disease  is  characterized  by  sudden  pros- 
tration and  if  the  animal  is  down  he  is  usually  unable  to  rise. 
Azoturia  invariably  follows  exercise  after  a  period  of  enforced 
idleness  and  continued  high  feeding  on  such  food  as  oats.  In 
such  a  case  an  excess  of  nitrogen  is  probably  developed  in  the 
system  and  the  excretory  organs  cannot  take  care  of  all  the  ex- 
tra waste  material.  It  occurs  in  all  ages  and  breeds,  in  both 
sexes.  We  find  it  more  common  in  half  bred  draft  horses  than 
in  full  blooded  animals,  probably  because  the  half  bred  is  more 
common,  more  numerous. 

Etiology. — Azoturia  is  due  to  idleness,  high  feeding  and  then 
exercise.  The  resulting  condition  is  one  of  plethora.  The  ani- 
mal sometimes  gets  down  and  becomes  cast  in  some  way  or  other 
and  in  his  efforts  to  get  up  he  exercises  so  violently  as  to  bring 
on  the  disease.  In  case  of  indigestion  from  idleness  if  colic 
pains  arise,  the  struggles  of  the  animal  may  bring  on  an  attack  of 
azoturia.  If  a  horse  is  to  be  cast  for  an  operation  and  has  not 
been  prepared  by  dieting,  his  struggles  in  the  apparatus  may 
bring  on  an  attack  of  azoturia.  If  a  highly  fed  animal  is  idle  he 
will  become  plethoric.  All  of  the  organs  become  sluggish  in  ac- 
tion and  the  blood  becomes  rich  in  solids  at  the  expense  of  the 


OF  VETERTXARV  MEDICINE.  191 

watery  constituents.  The  animal  becomes  indolent  and  his  cir- 
culation is  slowed.  When  he  begins  to  exercise  again  the  circu- 
lation increases,  the  pulse  in  some  cases  running  up  to  60;  he 
feels  good  and  takes  very  active  exercise,  and  as  a  result  of  this 
exercise  there  is  tissue  metamorphosis.  The  waste  material  pro- 
duced in  the  system  is  nitrogen.  Every  contraction  of  the 
muscles  separates  the  nitrogen  from  the  tissues.  The  muscles 
get  their  nitrogen  from  certain  kinds  of  food.  Tlie  surplus 
nitrogen  must  be  eliminated  from  the  system  by  the  kidneys  or  it 
will  poison  the  blood.  The  kidneys  excrete  it  in  the  form  of 
urea.  The  surplus  water  and  salts  in  the  blood  of  a  plethoric 
animal  can  be  gotten  rid  of  through  other  channels  but  the  kid- 
neys must  take  care  of  the  excess  of  nitrogen.  The  thick  blood 
cannot  circulate  so  freely  through  the  organs  and  we  get  a 
capillary  stasis,  the  kidneys  become  congested  and  there  is  an 
impaction  of  the  capillaries  with  blood.  This  interferes  with  the 
action  of  the  kidneys  and  the  coloring  matter  of  the  blood  is 
forced  out  into  the  urine,  giving  it  the  dark  color  which  we  see 
in  the  urine  of  azoturia. 

The  action  of  the  kidneys  may  be  so  disturbed  that  there  is 
total  suppression  of  the  urine  and  the  horse  may  die  in  two 
hours;  but  if  the  kidneys  are  partially  active  then  the  life  of  the 
animal  is  prolonged.  When  he  recovers,  it  is  because  the  kid- 
neys are  restored  to  their  normal  activity,  but  if  he  dies  it  is 
because  the  kidneys  cannot  eliminate  the  urea  and  uraemic  poi- 
soning takes  place.  Uraemic  blood  poisoning  is  the  immediate 
cause  of  death.  Other  organs  are  congested  as  well  as  the  kid- 
neys, the  lungs  especially.  As  the  animal  goes  down  he  gives 
way  to  a  peculiar  motor  paralysis  of  the  muscles,  due  to  mus- 
cular congestion.  This  congestion  causes  pressure  upon  the 
trunk  nerves  and  the  muscles  become  paralyzed.  The  muscles 
most  often  affected  c.re  the  gluteal,  posterior  portion  of  ihe  dorsal 
and  the  anterior  crural  region.  The  congestion  of  these  muscles 
is  often  so  severe  as  to  interrupt  the  circulation  and  a  cessation 
of  the  muscle  activity  takes  place,  leading  to  atrophy.  When 
the  congestion  is  very  tense  with  little  swelling,  the  muscles  get 
hard  and  the  pressure  upon  the  nerves  is  severe  and  often 
fatal.    Usually,  but  not  always,  the  hind  parts  are  affected,  more 


192  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

often  the  right  hind  quarter.  A  rather  plausible  theory  has  re- 
cently been  advanced  that  the  disease  is  due  to  autointoxication 
by  the  product  of  fermentation  of  the  mass  of  food  in  the  colon. 
The  disease  develops  only  in  heavy  feeders  and  during  idleness 
the  bowels  get  torpid,  giving  the  ingesta  ample  opportunity  to 
ferment,  producing  some  subtle  poison  that  does  the  mischief. 

Post  Mortem. — Where  death  sets  in  soon  after  congestion, 
we  shall  find  the  muscles,  particularly  the  affected  ones,  darker 
colored  than  normal.  The  heart  is  filled  with  black  clots  of 
blood;  the  kidney  and  liver  are  soft  and  the  kidneys  may  be 
gangrenous.  There  may  be  abscesses  in  the  kidneys.  The  cere- 
bral meninges  will  be  more  or  less  congested  with  some  effusion 
in  the  arachnoid  space.  The  animal  will  be  fat  on  the  inside 
even  if  lean  on  the  outside.  If  the  blood  is  plethoric,  the  animal 
does  not  need  to  be  fat  in  order  to  be  predisposed  to  this  disease. 
Animals  that  are  hard  worked  usually  get  an  abundance  of  oats 
and  they  are  the  ones  most  apt  to  take  the  disease  though  the 
work  may  keep  down  the  fat. 

Semeio'logy. — When  the  horse  is  taken  out  after  a  period  of 
idleness  he  feels  good  and  dances  around  full  of  life.  The  dis- 
tance he  will  then  be  able  to  go  depends  upon  the  amount  of  ni- 
trogen set  free  by  the  muscular  exertion.  He  may  go  one- 
fourth  of  a  mile,  he  may  go  twenty  miles,  but  he  soon  begins  to 
sweat  and  blow.  The  blowing  is  due  to  congestion  of  the  lungs, 
the  sweating  to  congestion  of  the  skin.  He  begins  to  look 
around,  has  an  anxious  countenance  and  gets  lame  in  the  hind 
quarter.  The  fetlock  knuckles — that  is  the  first  symptom  of  the 
paralysis.  The  affected  leg  drags,  he  cannot  bear  any  weight  on 
it,  then  the  other  fetlock  knuckles  and  that  leg  becomes  helpless 
and  all  at  once  the  horse  is  down.  During  this  time  the  muscles 
of  the  back  often  swell  hard  as  a  board.  The  horse  lies  quiet  for 
a  time  but  colicky  pains  come  on,  he  gets  restless,  the  nerves 
become  intensely  excited,  pulse  tumultuous,  weak,  uneven,  and 
finally  dicrotic,  and  there  is  a  convulsive  motion  of  the  limb.  In 
the  early  stage  you  will  not  find  any  abnormal  condition  of  the 
urine,  but  within  an  hour  or  two  you  will  find  it  thick,  and  a 
dark  coffee  color.  The  color  is  due  to  the  pigment  set  free  from 
the  blood ;  the  thickness  is  due  to  mucous.     Sometimes  it  is  so 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  193 

thick  that  it  will  not  flow  through  the  catheter,  and  you  have  to 
assist  it  by  putting  the  hand  in  the  rectum  and  giving  the  bladder 
gentle  pressure.  The  fever  rises  to  103  or  104.  Pain  and 
nervousness  cause  him  to  make  attempts  to  get  up  and  he  can 
get  up  upon  his  fore  feet  but  his  hind  parts  are  helpless.  Ho 
may  walk  on  his  front  feet  and  drag  his  hind  parts  along  for 
some  distance. 

As  the  disease  progresses  and  uraemic  poisoning  sets  in  the 
animal  becomes  delirious  (the  first  effect  of  uraemia)  and  runs 
on  to  a  comatose  condition  and  finally  death.  Death  usually  oc- 
curs in  convulsions.  The  mortality  in  the  city  is  about  60  or  70 
per  cent.  Death  occurs  in  about  48  to  72  hours,  though  the 
disease  often  runs  on  to  five  or  six  weeks.  Sometimes  the 
urine  contains  tube  casts,  haematin  and  haemoglobin.  The  tube 
casts  indicate  nephritis  and  in  case  of  abscess  there  will  be  pus 
in  it.  In  case  of  gangrene  gas  will  bubble  out  through  the 
catheter. 

In  mild  cases  the  symptoms  are  only  partially  developed.  He 
may  go  down  and  get  up  again  but  there  will  be  pain  and  lame- 
ness in  one  quarter,  in  that  respect  different  from  colic.  The 
animal  often  gets  w^ell  after  lying  down  an  hour  or  two.  It  seems 
that  a  three  days'  stay  in  the  stable  is  worse  than  a  three  weeks' 
period  of  idleness,  for  in  the  longer  time  of  rest  the  animal 
gradually  loses  the  good  appetite  he  had  at  ^'rst  and  consequently 
eats  less  and  the  system  becomes  used  to  the  change.  The  cap- 
illaries become  enlarged  and  can  accommodate  the  larger  amount 
of  blood. 

Tr6aiment. — Wherever  you  find  the  animal,  draw^  off  the 
urine  to  relieve  the  distress  of  an  overfilled  bladder.  If  he  is 
nervous  give  him  an  ounce  of  fluid  extract  Gelsemium  for  the 
first  dose  and  if  a  second  is  needed,  a  half  ounce.  It  is  doubtful 
if  a  purgative  is  needed,  as  there  is  already  a  lack  of  water  in 
the  system  and  a  purgative  would  further  reduce  it.  I  never 
found  much  benefit  in  purgatives,  though  I  usually  give  an  aver- 
age dose  of  aloes.  Diuretics  are  dangerous ;  if  the  congestion  is 
severe  the  diuretic  will  surely  kill.  The  potassium  diuretics  are 
especially  dangerous.     Give  a  mild  stimulant. 


194  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

Fl.  Ex.  Gelsemium  ounces  ij 

Potassium  Bromide ounces  i j 

Aqua  qs.  ad pint      i 

M.  Sig. — Give  a  2-ounce  dose  about  every  three  or 
four  hours. 

In  addition  to  this  Dr.  Ellingwood  suggests  lithium  citrate  (1 
dram  in  water)  every  two  or  three  hours  for  the  fi'rst  50  or  60 
hours,  then  three  times  a  day. 

For  local  treatment  use  hot  fomentations.  Wring  out  a  rug 
in  hot  water  and  apply  over  the  loins.  Cover  with  water  proof 
and  then  dry  blankets.  This  keeps  the  steam  in.  During  con- 
valescence give  nux  vomica.  Remember  that  a  horse's  chances 
are  much  better  for  recovery  if  he  is  able  to  remain  in  the  stand- 
ing position.  If  he  can  bear  about  two-thirds  of  his  own  weight 
slings  may  be  tried,  but  they  usually  aggravate  the  symptoms. 

If  the  muscles  waste  in  the  hind  quarter,  treat  by  stimulating 
with  setons.  Put  in  three  setons  about  two  inches  apart  and 
leave  them  in  about  six  weeks.  Send  the  animal  to  pasture  and 
give  a  good  long  rest.  It  may  take  six  months  for  the  muscles  to 
redevelop.  If  necessary  you  can  medicate  the  setons  with  canth- 
arides,  turpentine,  etc.  Be  sure  to  give  gentle  exercise,  but  give 
all  he  can  take.  If  the  wasting  is  extensive  and  severe  get  him 
up  for  exercise  every  two  or  three  hours. 

Although  the  urine  is  so  dark  colored  and  full  of  the  coloring 
matters  of  the  blood,  yet  a  microscopical  examination  of  a  por- 
tion of  it  under  the  high  power  lens  does  not  show  any  pigment 
crystals.  Also  an  examination  of  the  blood  does  not  reveal  any 
diagnostic  features.  The  red  blood  corpuscles  are  normal  in 
color  and  size  and  do  not  give  evidence  of  having  lost  their  con- 
stituents. In  fact  some  authorities  consider  the  pigment  body 
which  colors  the  urine  to  be  directly  a  muscle  element  and  not 
a  blood.  Muscle  haemoglobin,  however,  has  the  same  composi- 
tion as  blood  haemoglobin. 

Friedberger  and  Froehner  say  that  the  blood  in  azoturia 
will  show  the  haemoglobin  crystals. 

Azoturia  is  a  complex  affection.  It  is  rather  a  disease  of  the 
liver  and  blood  forming  functions  than  of  the  kidneys,  although 
the  vulgar  idea  is  that  the  disorder  is  one  of  the  urinary  tract. 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  195 

It  is  directly  connected  with  a  plethora  in  the  blood  of  nitro- 
genized  constituents  with  extreme  nervous  and  muscular  dis- 
order. The  poisoning  is  seemingly  not  present  when  the  animal 
is  taken  from  the  stable,  yet  some  cases  develop  a  fatal  attack 
while  being  harnessed  and  hooked  up,  before  leaving  the  wagon 
floor.  It  would  seem  as  if  the  aspiratory  power  of  the  chest 
under  the  sudden  exertion  of  the  over-fed  animal  speedily  drew 
from  the  liver  and  abdominal  veins  (portal  system;  the  accumu- 
lated store  of  nitrogenous  matter  in  an  imperfectly  oxidized  or 
elaborated  condition,  and  as  if  the  blood  surcharged  with  these 
materials  was  unable  to  maintain  the  healthy  functions  of  the 
nerves  and  muscles.  The  pathology,  however,  is  little  under- 
stood.   We  must  content  ourselves  for  the  present  with  theories. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  CIRCULATORY  SYSTEM. 

There  are  three  means  of  determining  the  diseases  of  the 
heart  and  blood  vessels ; — inspection,  palpation  and  auscultation. 
By  inspection  you  detect  any  change  in  the  position  of  the  heart 
and  the  force  of  the  heart  beat  can  be  determined.  The  character 
and  rhythm  of  the  pulse  you  get  by  palpation.  Auscultation 
reveals  the  sounds  of  the  heart.  The  heart  has  a  normal  sound 
and  any  deviation  from  this  can  be  detected  by  auscultation. 

The  various  phenomena  of  the  heart  diseases  are  (1)  Lan- 
guor; (2)  Impeded  respiration  during  the  exercise,  often 
amounting  to  distressing  dyspnoea;  and  (3)  Condition  of  the 
visible  mucous  membranes. 

The  diseases  of  the  heart  are  divided  into  two  classes, — func- 
tional and  organic.  The  functional  are  acute  and  are  three  in 
number,  palpitation  (thumping),  cyanosis  (blue  disease)  and 
syncope  (faiting  fit).  Spasm  of  the  diaphragm,  sometimes 
spoken  of  as  thumps,  is  often  mistaken  for  palpitation.  The 
organic  diseases  of  the  heart  are  chronic  or  structural  diseases. 

PALPITATION  AND  SINGULTUS. 

Palpitation  (thumps)  is  a  tumultuous  action  of  the  heart.  It 
IS  a  disturbance  of  the  rhythmic  action  of  the  heart  and  is  some- 


196  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

times  seen  as  a  symptom  of  some  other  disease,  for  instance 
anaemia.  Hard  work  often  brings  it  on,  especially  on  a  hot  day. 
It  occurs  through  a  disturbance  of  the  equilibrium  of  the  nervous 
system  (sympathetic).  When  the  condition  comes  through  exer- 
tion, the  animal  is  exhausted  and  the  heart  is  over-taxed.  The 
action  of  the  nerves  may  be  direct  or  reflex.  Acute  indigestion 
may  cause  thumps.  This  form  of  the  disease  may  come  on 
while  the  animal  is  standing  quietly  in  the  stable. 

Singultus  or  spasm  of  the  diaphragm  (hiccough)  is  caused 
by  excitation  of  the  phrenic  nerve  center  and  it  is  thought  that 
this  excitement  is  due  to  some  form  of  indigestion.  Too  hard  or 
too  fast  work  after  a  full  meal  is  apt  to  cause  hiccough  and  it  may 
be  mistaken  for  palpitation.  It  may  sometimes  develop  without 
any  apparent  cause.  The  condition  is  seen  most  frequently  in 
fast  horses.  If  a  horse  comes  in  from  a  run  with  hiccough  and 
in  great  distress,  he  may  recover  in  twenty  minutes,  but  if  it 
is  thumps  he  may  be  laid  up  for  several  days. 

Semeiology. — There  is  increased  effort  with  decreased  power 
of  the  heart.     The  pulse  is  irregular  in  every  way.     It  is  gen- 
erally very  rapid,  say  at  seventy-five,  but  it  is  up  and  down  and 
the  force  of  the  beat  is  irregular.     The  result  is  passive  conges- 
tion of  the  lungs  and  there  is  rapid  breathing  with  considerable 
dyspnoea  in  a  bad  case.     No  signs  of  pain  especially,  but  the 
distress  of  the  animal  is  great.    There  is  a  jugular  pulse,  disten- 
sion of  the  veins  of  the  head  and  neck  and  the  palpitation  of  the 
organ  itself  is  sometimes  so  great  as  to  shake  the  whole  body. 
In  hiccough  there  is   sudden  contraction  of  the  diaphragm,  in 
spasms,  which  also  gives  an  impulse  to  the  body,  but  you  cannot 
see  the  pounding  of  the  heart  on  the  ribs.    Hiccough  is  not  as  fre- 
quent as  palpitation.    You  may  get  several  hiccoughs  in  a  minute 
and  on  the  other  hand  only  one  in  the  course  of  three  minutes.   In 
palpitation  there  is  apt  to  be  two  or  three  a  second.     Hiccough 
may  stop  any  time,  while  in  palpitation  the  thumps  keeps  up  for 
one  to  two  hours  to  a  day  or  two.     In  palpitation  the  blood  ves- 
sels will  be  greatly  dilated,  while  in  hiccough  they  will  not. 

Treatment. — In  all  cases  there  should  be  perfect  quiet.     If 
the  palpitation  is  due  to  organic  disturbance  of  the  heart's  action 


OF  VETERINARY  MEDICINE.  l"' 


then  Strong  stimulants  are  indicated,  such  as  alcohol,  whisky,  dig- 
italis (most  important  of  all)  and  nitro-glycerine  is  often  resorted 
to  when  the  others  fail.    Tincture  of  cactus  is  good  in  the  human 
when  the  palpitation  is  due  to  indigestion.     If  the  palpitation  is 
due  to  the  disturbance  of  some  other  organ  then  the  condition 
is  reflex  and  it  is  necessary  to  treat  the  organ  disturbed.    In  case 
of  anaemia  treat  the  blood ;  in  plethora  and  too  much  fat,  give 
a  purgative,  reduce  the  feed  and  give  mce  exercise.    The  excited 
condition  of  the  heart  should  also  be  treated.  For  this  aconite  is 
the  best  for  it  slows  the  heart  without  depressing  it.    Give  about 
ten  drops  of  the  tincture  of  aconite  or  about  seven  drops  of  the 
extract.  Give  whisky  also,  a  half  pint  for  the  first  dose  and  then, 
if  necessary,  repeat  in  two  ounce  doses  every  fifteen  minutes 
until  the  animal  is  relieved.    After  the  attack  is  over  then  remove 
the  cause.     If  the  horse  is  suffering  from  nervous  exhaustion 
then  give  cardiac  stimulants,  such  as  digitalis.     Powdered  digi- 
■  talis    and    solid   extract    of   belladonna   are   prescribed,   twenty 
grains  each,  night  and  morning.    If  the  blood  is  faulty  give  iron. 
Treatment  of  singuUus  depends  upon  its  seventy  and  dura- 
tion.   It  usually  disappears  as  the  horse  cools  and  after  drinking 
a  few  swallows  of  cold  water.    If  not  give  half  a  grain  of  strych- 
nia hypodermatically.     If  this  does  not  stop  it  give  four  grains 
of  morphia  in  the  same  way. 

CYANOSIS. 

Cyanosis  is  known  as  the  blue  disease.     This  occurs  only 
in  young  animals.-those  newly  born.     It  is  sometimes  found  in 
foals  immediately  after  birth  and  is  due  to  the  non-closure  of 
he  foramen  ovaie  between  the  two  auricles.  This  a  lows  a  mix- 
ture of  the  venous  with  the  arterial  blood  in  the  left  cavities  of 
the  heart.    It  is  characterized  by  a  dark  purple  or  bluish  color 
of  the  visible  mucous  membranes,  shortness  of  breath  and  general 
coldness  and  feebleness.     Foals  thus  affected  generally  live  only 
a  few  hours.     If  the  young  animal  should  live  it  would  grovv 
up  very  weak.    This  condition  is  often  seen  in  bab.es-b  ue  baby 
it  is  called-and  they  may  recover  by  good  nursing     If  they  can 
be  kept  alive  for  eight  or  ten  days  they  will  get  well. 


198  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

SYNCOPE. 

Syncope  is  fainting  and  when  applied  to  the  heart  it  means 
a  fainting  fit.  The  heart  fails  and  loses  its  irritability  and  will 
not  respond  to  the  nerves.  This  causes  the  nerve  centers  to  be 
anaemic  and  a  consequent  lack  of  blood  to  the  brain.  It  rarely 
occurs  among  horses.  The  condition  could  be  induced  by  a  rapid 
and  great  loss  of  blood  or  by  intense  pain  or  by  mechanical 
interference  with  the  circulation  of  the  brain. 

Uterine  hemorrhage  is  a  common  cause  of  syncope  in  the 
human.  Rapid  bleeding  from  the  jugular  produces  it.  You 
should  be  able  to  differentiate  between  syncope  and  apoplexy. 
Apoplexy  is  caused  by  hemorrhage  into  the  brain  while  syncope 
is  caused  by  a  lack  of  blood,  or  anaemia  of  the  brain.  In 
apoplexy  there  is  a  purple  appearance ;  in  syncope  pallor. 

Semeiology. — There  may  be  a  partial  or  total  loss  of  con- 
sciousness ;  the  pulse  sinks  rapidly  and  the  animal  drops  to  the 
ground..  The  surface  of  the  body  turns  cold,  the  breathing  is 
scarcely  to  be  perceived,  but  the  state  lasts  usually  only  a  few 
minutes.  If  the  case  is  attended  with  much  hemorrhage  it  may 
be  fatal.  In  paralysis  of  the  heart  the  symptoms  may  be  similar 
to  those  of  fainting.     In  apoplexy  there  is  stertorous  breathing. 

Treatment. — Dash  cold  water  on  the  head.  Lay  the  animal 
flat  with  his  head  as  low  as  possible  in  order  that  the  blood  may 
flow  into  the  brain  with  the  least  resistance.  Do  not  let  the 
animal  get  up  too  soon  or  else  the  attack  may  return.  As  soon 
as  the  consciousness  returns  give  whisky  or  carbonate  of  am- 
monia. Then  afterwards  general  tonics,  rest,  and  nourishing 
foods  are  indicated.     Remove  the  cause. 

ACUTE  INFLAMMATORY  DISEASES. 

This  will  embrace  myocarditis,  endocarditis  and  pericarditis. 
Pericarditis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  pericardium,  the  serous 
sack  surrounding  the  heart ;  endocarditis  is  the  inflammation  of 
the  serous  lining  of  the  heart,  the  endocardium;  myocarditis  is 
the  inflammation  of  the  muscle. 

Pericarditis  runs  about  the  same  course  as  pleurisy   (acute, 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE.  199 

with  which  it  is  often  associated)  and  terminates  in  the  same 
way  with  serous  efifusion  into  the  pericardium,  constituting  hy- 
dropericardium,  the  same  as  hydrothorax. 

Etiology. — Pericarditis  may  be  induced  by  cold,  damp  stabUng. 
exposure  and  fatigue,  wounds  caused  by  broken  ribs  and  blood 
contamination.  Diseases  that  usually  exist  as  complications  are 
influenza,  strangles,  purpura  hemorrhagica,  pyaemia,  rheumatism 
and  probably  most  common  of  all  is  rheumatic  fever.  These 
diseases  may  cause  the  inflammation  of  the  pericardium  through 
the  blood,  but  the  inflammation  can  also  extend  to  the  heart  sac  by 
the  inflamed  adjacent  tissues. 

Semciology. — Wlien   arising   as   it   usually    does    from    some 

previously  existing  fever,  the  symptoms  of  the  original  disease 

will  be  the  most  prominent.     As  the  pericarditis  develops  you 

will  notice  that  the  heart  gets  weaker  and  becomes  irregular  in 

rhythm  and  strength ;  the  heart  then  becomes  so  weak  as  to  bring 

on  distressing  dyspnoea,  such  as  seen  in  influenza  and  rheumatic 

fever.    If  the  inflammation  is  not  severe  the  effusion  that  follows 

will  be  small.    The  various  stages  will  be  like  those  of  pleurisy. — 

first,  congestion;  second,  inflammation;  third,  effusion.     In  case 

of  extensive   effusion  the   fluid  often  coagulates  and  coats  the 

heart   and  the   inside   of   the  pericardium,  the   layer  may  be  a 

half  inch  thick.     This  causes  the  muscles  of  the  heart  to  soften 

and  w^eaken.     The  pulse  gets  weak,  soft  and  fluttering  and  there 

is  always  considerable  fever  usually  about  104'  F.    This  condition 

tends  to  dyspnoea  and  consequently  a  watery  effusion  increases 

in  the  sack.     The  dyspnoea  is  due  entirely  to  the  faulty  thoracic 

circulation.    In  consequence  of  the  altered  circulation  and  passive 

congestion  there  is  more  or  less  exudation  and  the  lungs  become 

sufficiently  involved  to  get  a  cough  associated  wnth  the  disease. 

With  the  increased  weakness  of  the  heart  there  \\\\\  be  coldness 

of  the   extremities,   oedematous   enlargements,   loss   of   strength, 

finally  collapse  and  death.     Even  where  the  trouble  is  moderately 

severe  it  usually  leaves  a  chronic  lesion  and  affects  the  horse 

afterw^ard.     Ante  mortem  clots  may  form  in  the  posterior  aorta 

and  cause  sudden  death. 

Treatment. — If   the   condition   can  be   diagnosed   in  the   first 
stage  depletion  is  indicated.    You  can  give  diuretics  and  quinine. 


200  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Then  after  the  first  stage  is  passed  stimulants  are  indicated, 
mild  at  first  but  increased  as  the  weakness  develops.  If  you  let 
the  heart  get  weak  then  the  effusion  will  be  greater,  so  you  must 
keep  up  the  heart.  The  heart  in  this  condition  is  very  suscepti- 
ble and  digitalis  cannot  be  used  in  a  mixture  but  must  be  given 
once  every  three  hours  alone,  as  the  case  requires.  Counter- 
irritants  to  the  left  chest  or  hot  fomentations  are  good  for  the 
heat  allays  the  pain ;  cold  will  aggravate  it.  In  the  third  stage 
cantharides  to  the  left  side  can  be  applied  as  a  vesicant.  Give 
iron  and  stimulants  to  maintain  a  strong  heart.  Salol  and 
quinine  are  also  indicated.  The  salol  is  usually  given  in  dram 
doses  every  three  to  six  hours.  Acetanilid  can  be  given  with  it. 
But  in  spite  of  all  you  can  do  the  animal  as  a  rule  dies  and 
the  autopsy  shows  serum  in  the  pericardial  sack  and  accumula- 
tions of  coagula  around  the  heart.  Following  some  other  disease, 
as  it  often  does,  treat  the  original  condition  as  its  nature  seems 
to  indicate. 

ENDOCARDITIS. 

This  is  inflammation  of  the  endocardial  lining  of  the  heart. 
Associated  with  it  is  valvulitis,  inflammation  of  the  valves  of 
the  heart.  Endocarditis  frequently  occurs  as  a  complication  of 
rheumatism.  It  is  a  more  frequent  disease  of  horses  than  is 
generally  known  and  often  gives  rise  to  symptoms  that  are  first 
obscure  and  unnoticed.  In  influenza  we  'find  the  heart  becoming 
involved  in  consequence  of  the  morbid  material  conveyed  through 
the  heart  by  the  blood  stream.  Septic  diseases  in  any  form  may 
produce  their  evil  effects  upon  the  heart  through  the  channel  of 
the  blood. 

In  acute  endocarditis  we  find  the  delicate,  sensitive  lining  of 
the  cavities  roughened.  Coagulation  of  fibrin  may  follow  upon 
the  inflamed  surface  and  becomes  deposited  in  shreddy-like  gran- 
ular elevations.  Fibrinous  clots  may  form  and  early  death 
result. 

The  subacute  endocarditis  Is  the  most  comm.on  form  of  the 
disease  and  it  may  not  become  appreciable  for  several  days.  It 
IS  usually  confined  to  one  or  more  anatomical  divisions  of  the 


OF  VETERINARY   MEDICINE-.  201 

heart  and  all  the  successive  morbid  changes   follow  each  other 
in  comparatively  slow  processes. 

When  vegetations   form  upon  the  inflamed  membrane,  por- 
tions are  liable  to  break   off  and  be  carried  elsewhere  by  the 
blood,  thus  constituting  emboli,  which  arc  capable  of  suddenly 
plugging     certain    vessels     and    thereby    interrupting   important 
functions.     In  most  cases  of  either  acute  or  subacute  cases  of 
endocarditis  the  most  alarming  symptoms  disappear  in  a  week 
or  ten  days  but  they  usually  leave  the  heart  in  such  an  impaired 
condition  that  the  circulation  is  abnormal  for  a  long  time  after- 
ward.   These  changes  usually  consist  of  thickening  or  induration 
of  the  membrane  lining  the  cavities  of  the  heart.     Especially  do 
these  changes  persist  if  the  valves  of  the  heart  have  been  in- 
volved in  the  inflammation.    Even  a  slight  attack  of  inflammation 
will   render   tliem  less  flexible  than    normal    so    that    the    free 
passage  of  the  blood  is  interfered  with  and    furthermore  they 
cannot  close  up  tiglitly  so  that  some  blood  escapes  at  each  con- 
traction.    The  resultant  efforts  of  the  heart  to  compensate  this 
condition  leads  to  hypertrophy  of  its  walls,  more  particularly  of 
the   left  wall,   thereby   producing   fullness   of   the   capillaries   in 
the    lungs,    pressure    upon    the    air    cells,    diflicult    or   asthmatic 
breathing  and  in  a  few  months  complete  disability.     The  weak 
heart  and  inability  to  work  finally  results  in  a  dropsical  condition 
of   the  extremities  and  passive  congestion  of  the  kidneys  may 
follow.     Valvular  disease   follows  a  large  per  cent  of  cases  of 
acute  endocarditis,  which  is   of  itself  seldom  fatal  in  its  early 
stages. 

SemcioJogw — There  may  be  a  chill  with  a  sudden  rise  of  tem- 
perature. The  heart  beats  hard  and  the  pulse  is  irregular.  If 
the  animal  is  compelled  to  trot  there  is  evidence  of  great  pain, 
difficulty  in  breathing  and  shortness  of  breath.  If  the  valves  of 
the  right  side  are  affected  we  shall  find  a  jugular  ])ulse.  The 
pulse  is  always  fast.  The  animal  is  not  disposed  to  eat  much, 
the  surface  of  his  body  is  cold,  mucous  membranes  may  be 
cyanotic  and  in  nearly  all  cases  there  is  suppression  of  the  urinary 
secretion.  In  fatal  cases  death  occurs  about  the  fourth  day. 
Endocarditis  may  be  suspected  in  all  cases  where  the  symp- 


202  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

toms  of  cardiac   affection  are  associated  with   rheumatism,  in- 
fluenza or  any  septic  condition. 

Endocarditis  may  be  distinguished  from  pleuritis  by  the  ab- 
sence of  any  friction  murmur,  absence  of  pain  when  the  chest 
wall  is  percussed  and  the  absence  of  effusion  in  the  cavity  of 
the  chest.  It  may  be  differentiated  from  pericarditis  by  the  ab- 
sence of  friction  sounds  and  want  of  an  enlarged  area  of  dull- 
ness on  percussion. 

Treatment. — Blood-letting  is  contra-indicated.  If  you  can 
purify  the  blood  the  heart  may  recover.  Give  antiseptics,  such 
as  salol,  hyposulphite  of  soda,  bicarbonate  of  soda,  etc.  To 
guard  against  the  chronic  induration  of  the  valves  give  iodide 
of  potash.  This  should  be  given  in  1  to  2  dram  doses  early  in 
the  disease  and  may  be  repeated  two  or  three  times  a  day  for 
several  weeks.  In  all  cases  see  to  the  hygiene — good  nourishing 
food  and  warm  quarters.    Absolute  rest  is  necessary. 

Endocarditis  is  usually  fatal.  In  the  autopsy  there  are  black 
patches  on  the  lining  of  the  heart.  These  may  extend  around 
the  valves. 

Acute  valvular  disease  cannot  be  distinguished  from  endocar- 
ditis, and  chronic  valvular  affections  are  generally  the  result  of 
endocardial  inflammation.  The  valves  of  the  left  side  are  the 
ones  most  often  affected, — the  mitral  and  the  aortic  semilunar. 
The  lesion  may  be  mere  inflammation  and  swelling  or  it  may  con- 
sist of  organized  vegetations  upon  the  surface  of  the  valve.  Ad- 
hesions may  occur  and  the  chordae  tendinae  may  be  shortened  or 
lengthened.  The  fibrous  tissue  may  become  changed  into  carti- 
lage or  bone  or  it  may  become  the  seat  of  lime  deposits,  resulting 
in  ulceration,  ruptures  and  fissures.  If  the  heart  dilates  too  much 
there  may  be  atrophy  and  shrinking  of  the  valves. 

Symptoms.— Yci\vu\2LT  disease  may  be  indicated  by  a  venous 
pulse,  by  a  jerking,  irregular  and  intermittent  pulse,  by  palpita- 
tion and  dyspnoea,  attacks  of  vertigo,  congestion  of  the  brain  and 
dropsical  swelling  of  the  limbs.  Simple  dilatation  of  the  heart 
usually  accompanies  the  valvular  disease. 

Treatment. — When  the  pulse  is  irregular  or  irritable,  iron, 
gentian  and  ginger  may  be  given.  For  the  jerky  violent  action  of 
the  heart  give  20  to  30  drop  doses  of  digitalis  or  of  veratrum 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  203 

viride.  The  potassium  iodide  and  general  tonics  are  of  tempo- 
rary benefit  and  stimulants  should  be  given  when  the  animal  is 
weak.  Very  few  animals  recover  and  remain  useful  for  any 
length  of  time  when  the  valves  of  the  heart  have  once  been  in- 
volved in  organic  disease. 

MYOCARDITIS. 

Myocarditis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  heart  muscle.  This 
disease  sometimes  accompanies  py<Tmia  and  septiccemia.  It  can 
be  traced  to  foreign  bodies,  especially  in  cattle.  Foreign  bodies 
may  be  swallowed  and  passed  through  the  walls  of  the  stomach 
into  the  muscle  of  the  heart  and  there  set  up  an  inflammation. 
Strangles  may  cause  this  inflammation  in  the  horse.  It  usually 
terminates  fatally  and  at  autopsy  we  find  abscesses  in  different 
parts  of  the  body. 

The  myositis  is  shown  by  the  inability  of  the  heart  muscle  to 
contract  forcibly  and  it  results  in  a  weak,  rapid,  soft  pulse  with 
irregular  heart  sounds.  The  course  of  the  disease  is  very  rapid 
and  terminates  suddenly  from  paralysis  or  rupture  of  the  heart. 

The  heart  muscle  at  post  has  a  yellowish,  boiled  appearance 
and  is  so  friable  that  it  tears  easily.  Small  abscesses  may  be 
scattered  through  it.  If  the  disease  is  of  long  duration  and  be- 
comes chronic,  the  fibrous  tissue  may  increase  to  great  extent, 
extending  through  the  muscle  in  every  direction  and  largely  re- 
placing it.     This  makes  the  wall  of  the  heart  very  hard. 

Treatment. — Quiet  is  of  the  greatest  importance.  The  animal 
should  be  kept  in  an  airy  stall,  his  legs  should  be  well  rubbed 
and  bandaged  with  flannel.  Aid  the  heart  by  the  use  of  tonics 
and  stimulants.  Strychnine  in  one  grain  doses  twice  daily, 
whisky  in  4-ounce  doses  every  two  to  four  hours  and  digitalis 
in  1-dram  doses  every  three  to  six  hours  are  indicated  remedies. 

HYPERTROPHY  AND  ATROPHY. 

Hypertrophy  of  the  heart  means  enlargement  and  it  occurs 
with  or  without  dilatation  of  the  cavities.  This  unnatural  con- 
,dition  may  be  general  or  local,  over  one  ventricle  or  both  or  in- 


204  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

volviiig  only  part  of  one.  It  alters  the  shape  of  the  heart,  which 
has  a  more  nearly  round  appearance  when  hypertrophied.  The 
left  ventricle  is  the  most  likely  to  be  involved,  probably  on  ac- 
count of  the  larger  amount  of  work  it  has  to  do.  The  enlarge- 
ment may  Tbe  due  to  the  dilatation  of  the  cavities  or  it  may  be  due 
to  increased  thickness  of  the  walls.  In  draft  horses  both  are 
likely  to  occur  together.    Ossification  of  the  valves  may  occur. 

Simple  dilatation  is  dilatation  of  the  cavities,  principally  the 
right  ventricle,  without  thickening  of  the  walls.  Sometimes  even 
a  thinning  of  the  wall  of  the  right  ventricle  is  seen. 

Simple  hypertrophy  is  the  condition  in  which  the  ventricular 
walls  are  thickened  but  the  cavities  are  normal  in  size. 

Eccentric  hypertrophy  implies  both  the  thickened  walls  and 
the  dilated  cavities. 

Concentric  hypertrophy  implies  the  thickened  walls  and  the 
contraction  of  the  cavities. 

Hypertrophy  with  dilatation  is  by  far  the  most  frequent  form 
of  cardiac  enlargement.  The  heart  may  be  three  or  four  times 
its  natural  size. 

Etiologv. — Long-continued,  severe  exertion  always  causes  car- 
diac enlargement.  It  is  seen  in  fast  horses,  especially  trotters 
and  pacers  that  have  done  hard  campaigning  for  three  or  four 
years,  and  aged  hard  worked  draft  horses.  This  hypertrophy 
dves  little  or  no  inconvenience  unless  the  animal  is  attacked  by 
some  other  disease,  then  he  is  more  liable  to  succumb  than  if 
he  had  a  normal  heart.  Inflammatory  diseases  with  high  fever, 
especially  pneumonia,  is  liable  to  produce  simple  dilatation.  The 
concentric  hypertrophy  follows  long  continued  over-exertion.  The 
horse  usually  dies  from  some  disease  aggravated  by  the  weak 
condition  of  the  heart. 

Semeiology.— The  heart  in  simple,  eccentric  and  concentric 
hypertrophy  gives  a  powerful  impulse  at  each  beat;  pulse  full 
and  strong.  In  simple  dilatation  it  gets  weaker  and  weaker  until 
severe  dyspnoea  results.  If  the  pulse  is  small  and  feeble  at  the 
jaw  we  may  conclude  that  there  is  some  cardiac  weakness, 
probably  simple  dilatation. 

Treatment.— In   simple    dilatation   and    other   cardiac   weak- 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE. 


205 


nesses  give  the  animal  rest  and  keep  from  excitement.    Digitalis, 
strychnine  and  other  stimulants  are  indicated. 

Atrophy  is  the  contracting  and  wasting  of  the  muscular  sub- 
stance of  the  heart.  The  heart  grows  smaller  and  harder  and 
the  muscle  fibers  lose  their  striations.  In  the  muscle  protoplasm 
are  to  be  found  around  the  nuclei  brown  pigment  granules  and 
in  severe  cases  the  pigments  may  lie  loose  between  the  fibers. 
This  condition  is  called  brozvn  atrophy  of  the  heart. 

The  chief  symptom  is  weakness  of  the  pulse.  In  the  horse 
the  pulse  could  not  be  taken  at  the  jaw  and  as  the  consequence 
changes  are  apt  to  occur  in  any  part  of  the  body. 

FATTY  DEGENERATION. 

This  form  of  degeneration  may  involve  the  whole  organ  or  it 
may  be  limited  to  patches,  which  would  give  the  heart  a  mottled 
appearance.  When  the  condition  is  general  the  heart  is  flabby 
and  in  extreme  cases  collapses  when  cut.  Fatty  infiltration  de- 
posits fat  between  the  fibres  while  in  degeneration  the  muscle 
protoplasm  itself  is  changed  into  fat.  Fatty  degeneration  is  often 
associated  with  other  morbid  conditions  such  as  obesity,  dilata- 
tion, rupture,  aneurism,  etc.  When  it  exists  alone  its  presence 
is  seldom  suspected  previous  to  death.  It  may  be  due  to  de- 
teriorated conditions  of  the  blood  in  wasting  diseases,  excessive 
hemorrhages,  or  to  poisoning  with  arsenic  and  phosphorus.  Fatty 
infiltration  co-exists  with  obesity. 

Symptoms. — The  most  prominent  symptoms  of  fatty  degener- 
ation are  a  feeble  action  of  the  heart,  a  remarkably  slow  pulse, 
general  debility  and  attacks  of  vertigo.  It  may  involve  a  lia- 
bility to  sudden  death  from  rupture  of  the  walls. 

Obesity  of  the  heart  is  the  deposit  of  immense  quantities  of 
fat  around  the  heart.  The  result  of  this  is  a  very  weak  heart, 
shortness  of  breath,  which  runs  into  dyspnoea.  The  animal  may 
be  all  right  when  standing  still  but  as  soon  as  exercised  the 
trouble  shows. 


206  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

POLYPI  OR  TUMORS  OF  THE  HEART. 

Tumors  may  develop  on  the  inside  or  outside  of  the  heart.  On 
the  inside  they  are  more  hkely  to  take  the  form  of  polypi.  They 
are  usually  orginated  from  vegetations  attached  to  the  base  of 
the  valves.  These  polypi  may  become  regular  fibrous  growths 
such  as  are  seen  following  an  inflammation.  They  are  more 
often  found  upon  the  lining  of  the  auricle  than  upon  the  ventricle. 
Fragments  of  these  vegetations  often  float  off  as  emboli  and 
lodge  in  some  other  part  of  the  body,  as  the  brain,  where  they 
produce  degeneration,  or  coma  and  finally  death. 

When  these  tumors  form  in  the  heart  they  can  be  diagnosed 
by  auscultation ;  a  rasping  sound  reveals  their  presence. 

Vascular  tumors  are  frequently  found  on  the  outside  of  the 
heart  at  the  apex.     Sometimes  they  contain  hydatids. 

RUPTURE. 

Rupture  of  the  heart  may  occur  as  the  result  of  some  previous 
disease,  such  as  fatty  degeneration,  dilatation  with  weakness  of 
the  walls,  etc.  It  may  be  caused  by  external  violence,  a  crushing 
fall,  pressure  from  some  great  weight,  etc.  Jumping  sometimes 
causes  it. 

The  rupture  more  frequently  occurs  in  the  left  ventricle,  al- 
though it  may  occur  in  the  auricles.  Death  quickly  follows  a 
rupture. 

Sometimes  the  heart  is  found  congenitally  misplaced.  It  is 
sometimes  on  the  right  side  and  sometimes  in  the  front  outside  of 
the  chest  cavity,  or  in  the  abdomen.  This  condition  of  the  heart 
is  called  Ectopia  Cordis. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  BLOOD  VESSELS. 

ARTERITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  lining  of  an  artery  is  called  arteritis. 
This  inflammation  sometimes  spreads  to  the  media  and  adventitia 
and  it  is  hard  to  find  what  causes  it.    The  strongylus  armatus  is 


OF  virrERixARY  mf:dicine.  207 

often  found  right  under  the  coat  of  the  vessel  where  it  sets  up 
an  inflammation.  Other  worms  may  cause  this  condition.  The 
ihac  artery  in  females  is  sometimes  injured  in  parturition,  set- 
ting up  ill  results. 

The  most  common  result  is  the  formation  of  a  thrombus  at 
the  point  of  inflammation.  It  may  grow  so  as  to  obstruct  the  ves- 
sel and  it  is  then  spoken  of  as  thrombosis  of  the  artery.  The  par- 
tially organized  lymph  may  become  detached  and  float  off  to  some 
other  part,  as  an  embolus.  When  an  embolus  reaches  a  vessel 
too  small  for  it  to  pass,  it  becomes  lodged  and  plugs  the  vessel, 
producing  cmholism. 

Treatment. — Embolism  is  incurable  and  thrombosis  may  pro- 
duce serious  results.  Thrombosis  must  be  treated  with  hot  or 
cold  applications  externally  and  internally — acetanilid,  quinine 
and  belladonna.  In  case  of  arteritis  of  the  iliacs  give  a  laxative 
and  cold  rectal  injections  (60  degrees  F.)  with  a  little  belladonna 
in  it.     Keep  the  animal  warm  in  cold  weather. 

ANEURISM. 

Aneurism  is  a  dilatation  of  an  artery  and  it  is  sometimes 
called  a  pulsating  tumor.  This  may  be  the  result  of  one  or  two 
causes.  First  may  be  mentioned  weakness  of  the  arterial  walls, 
which  the  pressure  dilates.  The  walls  may  get  very  thin  and 
sometimes  rupture  and  the  animal  bleeds  to  death.  This  condi- 
tion usually  occurs  in  the  posterior  aorta.  Worms  may  cause 
aneurism,  especially  in  the  colic  artery. 

If  the  aneurism  is  external,  apply  pressure  in  the  form  of  a 
truss.  If  it  is  in  a  vessel  that  can  be  dispensed  with,  ligate  it. 
It  may  occur  from  stricture  caused  by  arteritis,  the  dilatation  be- 
ing anterior  to  it. 

PHLEBITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  veins,  is  called  phlebitis  and  it  is  either 
traumatic  or  idiopathic — idiopathic  as  regards  its  origin.  In  the 
horse  it  is  usually  traumatic.  As  the  result  of  the  inflammation 
there  is  extensive  exudation  into  the  vein,  which  finally  becomes 


208  THEORY  AND   PRACTICE 

obliterated  at  the  point  of  injury.    More  or  less  pus  is  discharged. 

The  idiopathic  form  is  seen  in  the  human,  but  seldom  or  never 
in  the  horse.  In  the  human  it  is  associated  with  milk  leg  at 
times. 

Symptoms. — Local  heat  and  swelling.  If  the  vein  is  obliter- 
ated, it  is  like  a  cord. 

Treatment. — Ordinary  antiseptic  treatment.  If  there  is  a 
suppurating  wound  present,  it  must  be  curetted  and  treated  freely 
with  antiseptics. 

.  VARIX. 

Varix  is  a  dilated  vein,  sometimes  called  varicose  veins.  It 
is  due  to  obstruction  or  weakness  of  the  venous  walls.  Vari- 
cosity of  the  jugular  is  sometimes  met  \vith,  especially  where  the 
two  jugulars  meet.  A  varix  of  the  jugular  is  sometimes  seen  in 
the  cite  of  a  goitre.  It  may  be  mistaken  for  a  goitre,  but  it  is 
softer  and  is  quite  compressible.  A  varix  of  the  saphena  major 
is  often  seen  in  connection  with  a  bog  or  bone  spavin. 

Treatment. — Pressure  is  about  the  only  treatment.  In  the 
human,  elastic  stockings  and  bands  are  used  on  the  legs.  In  the 
case  of  bone  spavin  you  will  find  the  saphena  major  enlarged. 
In  firing,  be  careful  not  to  press  the  iron  too  heavily  when  over 
the  part.     In  case  of  bog  spavin  it  is  sometimes  ligated. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  SYSTEM. 

The  chief  function  of  the  kidneys  is  the  removal  of  the  sur- 
plus nitrogen  of  the  body  in  the  form  of  urea,  and  the  surplus 
water.  Most  of  the  poisons  of  the  body  also  those  of  disease  are 
thrown  off  through  the  kidneys.  The  kidneys,  therefore,  are  the 
sanitary  scavengers  and  purifiers  of  the  system,  and  when  their 
functions  are  impaired  or  arrested,  the  retained  poisons  quickly 
show  their  presence  in  the  resulting  disorder  of  the  skin,  nervous 
system,  and  in  fact  all  the  other  organs.  On  the  other  hand, 
scarcely  an  important  organ  of  the  body  can  suffer  derangement 
without  a  corresponding  disorder  of  the  urinary  system. 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  209 

The  prominent  causes  of  urinary  diseases  may  be  summed  up 
as  follows : 

All  extensive  inflammations  and  acute  diseases  attended  by 
fever  diminish  the  liquids  of  the  urine  and  increase  the  solids — 
waste  products — resulting  in  the  irritation  of  the  urinary  organs 
or  the  poisoning  of  the  system  at  large  by  the  retention  of  the 
surplus  waste. 

Diseases  of  the  heart  and  lungs,  by  interfering  with  the  free 
onward  flow  of  the  blood  from  the  right  side  of  the  heart,  tend 
to  throw  that  liquid  back  upon  the  veins,  and  this  backward 
pressure  of  venous  blood  reacts  upon  the  kidneys. 

Poisons  in  the  food  and  water  (such  as  irritant  diuretic 
plants,  musty  hay  or  oats),  green  vegetables  covered  with  hoar 
frost,  excess  of  phosphates  in  such  food  as  bran,  peas,  lentils, 
vetches,  rape  cake,  cotton-seed  cake,  etc.,  deprivation  of  water, 
producing  too  great  concentration  of  the  body  tissues, — these 
are  direct  causes  of  disturbance  in  the  kidneys. 

A  disordered  liver  producing  an  excess  of  bile  will  color  the 
urine ;  an  excess  of  hippuric  acid  and  its  allied  products  favor 
the  formation  of  calcareous  deposits ;  of  taurocholic  acid,  the 
destruction  of  the  blood  elements  and  consequent  irritation  of  the 
kidneys ;  of  glycogen,  the  production  of  saccharine  urine. 

Any  disorder  leading  to  impaired  function  of  the  stomach  is 
causative  of  an  excess  of  hippuric  acid,  of  bile,  of  oxalic  acid,  of 
sugar,  etc.,  in  the  urine,  resulting  in  irritation  of  the  urinary 
passages. 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system,  notably  o.f  the  base 
of  the  brain  and  the  spinal  cord,  induce  various  urinary  disorders, 
such  as  chylous  urine,  diabetes,  and  albuminuria. 

In  some  cases  the  changes  in  the  urine  are  the  sole  sign  of 
disease.  In  health  the  horse's  urine  is  of  a  deep  amber  color 
and  has  a  strong  odor.  On  a  feed  of  grass  it  may  show  uniform 
transparency,  while  on  a  grain  and  hay  ration  there  is  an  abundant 
white  deposit  of  carbonate  of  lime.  Of  the  morbid  changes  the 
following  are  to  be  looked  for:  (I)  Color;  white  from  deposited 
salts  of  lime ;  brown  or  red  from  blood  clots  or  coloring  matter ; 
yellow  or  orange  from  bile  or  from  blood  pigment ;  pale  from 
excess  o^  water;  or     variously     from     vegetable     ingredients 


?10  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

(santonin  makes  it  red;  rhubarb  or  senna,  brown;  methylene 
blue,  tar  or  carbolic  acid,  green).  (2)  Density:  The 
horse's  urine  may  be  1.030  to  1.050,  but  the  specific  gravity  may 
exceed  this,  as  in  diabetes,  or  it  may  sink  to  1.007,  as  in  diuresis. 
(3)  Chemical  reaction:  The  horse  on  a  vegetable  diet  has  alkaline 
iirine,  while  in  the  sucking  colt  or  in  a  horse  fed  on  flesh  or  on 
his  own  tissues,  as  in  starvation  or  abstinence  during  disease,  the 
urine  is  acid.  (4)  Organic  constituents:  Albumen,  mucous  shreds, 
casts,  worms,  etc.  (5)  Salts:  These  crystalize  out  spontaneously 
as  the  result  of  excess  of  some  acid  or  base  in  the  urine.  Pus 
and  an  excess  of  mucous  are  frequently  found  in  the  urine  . 

ALBUMINURIA. 

In  the  horse  this  can  be  safely  called  equine  Bright's.  It 
occurs  in  two  forms,  acute  and  chronic.  It  is  mostly  due  to  indi- 
gestion. The  chief  symptom  is  the  presence  of  albumin  in  the 
urine,  but  sometimes  none  may  be  present.  Accordingly,  several 
tests  should  be  made  for  the  determination  of  the  albumin.  You 
cannot  rely  on  a  single  sample.  Tube  casts  are  also  present. 
These  are  cylinders  of  fibrous  coagulum,  the  coagulation  having 
taken  place  in  the  uriniferous  tubules  to  wdiich  the  casts  conform 
in  shape.  In  the  case  of  fatty  degeneration  the  casts  will  have 
a  waxy  appearance,  due  to  the  presence  of  fat  and  oil  in  them. 

Tests  for  Albumin  in  the  Urine. — Put  some  of  the  urine  in  a 
test-tube  and  boil  it :  if  any  albumin  is  present,  a  white  coagulum 
will  form.  Heating  the  urine  will  also  precipitate  phosphates  if 
in  excess,  but  nitric  acid  will  dissolve  them.  If  the  urine  is 
strongly  alkaline,  neutralize  it  with  a  little  acetic  acid,  for  alka- 
line urine  may  coagulate  when  heated  even  though  albumin  is 
not  present.  Another  test  consists  in  placing  a  little  urine  in  a 
test-tube  and  carefully  pouring  down  the  side  of  the  tube  a  little 
strong  nitric  acid — pour  it  in  such  a  way  that  it  goes  to  the 
bottom  of  the  tube  underneath  the  urine  and  a  white  line  of  coag- 
ulation will  form  between  the  acid  and  the  urine. 

Semeiology. — The  first  indication  of  equine  Bright's  is  stifif- 
ness  in  the  gait  of  the  horse — of  the  hind  parts.  In  old  con- 
firmed cases  they  step  about  eight  or  ten  inches  to  a  step,  are  stifif 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  211 

in  turning  and  inclined  to  stretch.  Ultimately  the  horse  will 
suffer  constitutionally, — animal  will  become  hide-bound,  coat 
long,  becomes  weaker  and  weaker  in  the  hind  parts,  finally  gets 
down  and  is  unable  to  get  up,  deliriumi  follows,  then  uric  acid 
poisoning  and  death. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  is  usually  not  applied  early 
enough  for  the  disease  is  not  then  diagnosed.  But  if  it  can  be 
detected  in  its  early  stages,  the  stomach  should  be  given  a  com- 
plete change  of  food.  If  possible  the  animal  should  be  put  on 
grass.  Give  him  stomachics  and  saline  laxatives.  Exercise 
regularly.  Give  gentian,  nux  vomica,  arsenic,  zingiber,  with  a 
little  charcoal.  Diuretics  in  any  form  are  not  indicated.  Give 
plenty  of  bran  and  sloppy  food.  After  a  few  weeks'  time  change 
to  a  sour  tonic. 

Fl.  Ext.  Gent.  Ed.  Pulv ounce  j 

Hydrochloric  Acid   dram    j 

Alcohol    ounce  iv 

Aqua    qs.    ad pint      j 

M.  Sig. — 1  ounce  3  times  a  day  before  eating. 

After  using  this  treatment  for  a  week  or  ten  days  go  back  to 
the  other  treatment. 

HEMATURIA. 

Hematuria  is  bloody  urine  but  not  a  high-colored  urine  ne- 
cessarily. The  blood  is  usually  passed  in  clots  and  they  can  be 
seen  on  the  floor. 

Etiology. — Severe  strain  of  the  loins,  cystic  calculus,  strong 
diuretics,  various  parasites  in  the  kidneys,  especially  the  strongy- 
lus  gigas,  congestion  and  degeneration  of  the  kidney  and  can- 
cers, especially  melanosis,  and  blows  across  the  loins,  are  the 
principal  causes  of  this  disease.  The  strongylus  gigas  seems  to  be 
partial  to  the  kidney  and  develops  enormously  there.  A  male 
10  inches  long  and  a  female  14  inches  long  were  taken  from  the 
kidney  of  a  dog  that  died  in  the  Chicago  \'eterinary  College. 

Treatment. — Treat  as  the  symptoms  indicate.  If  the  disease 
is  caused  by  strain,  apply  cold  applications  and  keep  up  for  two 
or  three  hours.     If  this  fails  to  do  any  good,  give  the  horse  a 


212  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

cold  water  injection  and  run  the  hose  in  three  or  four  feet.  If  a 
calculus  is  found  in  the  bladder  it  must  be  removed.  If  the 
hemorrhage  continues  and  no  calculus  in  the  bladder  has  been 
found  nor  any  bruise,  the  cause  may  be  a  renal  calculus.  Hy- 
drochloric acid  internally  will  reduce  the  alkalinity  of  the  urine. 
In  case  of  parasites  nothing  can  be  done. 

DIABETES  INSIPIDUS. 

Diabetes  insipidus  or  polyuria  is  profuse  micturition  and  as- 
sociated with  it  is  great  thirst.  The  urine  is  clear  as  water  and 
horse  passes  it  every  fifteen  to  thirty  minutes.  Stable  men  call 
the  condition  flooding.  The  specific  gravity  of  the  urine  is  about 
the  same  as  water — 1.002  or  1.003.  In  horses  clear  urine  is  fre- 
quently a  sign  of  blood  poisoning,  as  in  glanders. 

Etiology. — The  chief  cause  is  indigestion,  or  mal-assimilation 
of  the  food.  Improper  food,  such  as  musty  oats  or  hay  or  kiln- 
dried  oats,  or  too  free  use  of  diuretics  may  be  the  cause  of  the 
trouble. 

The  horse  will  run  down  in  flesh,  he  develops  a  long  staring 
coat,  gets  wabbly  behind  and  finally  dies  from  collapse.  The  ap- 
petite usually  remains  good. 

Horses  generally  recover  but  mules  do  not.  Post  mortem 
shows  a  general  pallor  of  all  the  parts ;  the  kidney,  especially  the 
cortical  portion,  is  soft. 

Treatment. — Iodine  is  the  best  remedy  and  should  be  given 
in  large  doses.  To  a  1,200  pound  horse  give  a  dram  of  the  iodine 
crystals  in  a  linseed  bolus.  This  quenches  the  thirst  and  inci- 
dentally reduces  the  flow  of  urine.  In  the  horse  one  dose  is 
usually  sufficient ;  if  not,  repeat  in  three  or  four  days.  Follow- 
ing the  dose  of  iodine,  treat  the  indigestion.  Give  bicarbonate 
of  sodium, — a  dram  three  times  a  day  for  a  week  and  then 
change  to  hydrochloric  acid  for  a  week.  Then  go  back  to  soda. 
Give  vegetable  bitters  and  feed  on  grass  or  bran.  Do  not  let  the 
horse  bolt  his  food. 

A  mild  form  of  polyuria  is  seen  in  horses  fed  continuously 
on  hay  and  oats  without  any  change.  The  common  remedy  is  a 
tablespoonful  of  starch  in  the  food  three  times  a  day,  for  a  day 


UF    VETERIXAKY    MEDICINE.  213 

or  two.     Give  bran  with  the  oats  and  a  mild  purgative  if  the 
animal  is  not  working. 

DIABETES  MELLITUS. 

Diabetes  mellitus  (glycosuria)  is  a  condition  where  sugar  is 
found  in  the  urine.  It  is  comparatively  common  in  the  human 
but  it  is  seldom  found  among  the  other  animals.  Dogs  fed  ex- 
clusively on  liver  develop  fatty  degeneration  of  the  liver  and  it  is 
suspected  that  they  die  from  glycosuria.  Professor  Williams 
says  that  he  never  saw  this  disease  in  the  horse  or  in  herbivorous 
animals. 

Etiology. — The  predisposing  cause  is  continuous  over-eating. 
The  disease  is  a  result  of  indigestion. 

Scmeiology. — The  urine  is  excessive  in  amount  and  of  high 
specific  gravity.  Next  symptom  is  lassitude.  Then  follows 
swelling  of  the  feet  and  red  spots  on  the  skin  of  the  legs.  These 
spots  become  larger  and  finally  break  out  in  raw  sores. 

Treatment. — All  starch  and  sugar  should  be  withheld  from 
the  food  and  the  diet  should' consist  of  meat  and  nitrogenous 
foods.     Give  plenty  of  water.     Avoid  irritating  substances. 

Besides  sugar  in  the  urine,  pus  may  appear,  also  mucus  in 
increased  amount.  The  mucus  may  be  seen  as  a  floculent  cloud 
which  is  easily  shaken  up  when  the  urine  is  in  a  bottle.  It  never 
settles.  Pus  settles  to  the  bottom  of  the  vessel  in  a  whitish  yel- 
low deposit,  which  is  easily  shaken  up.  Unless  the  pus  is  very 
abundant  it  need  give  no  alarm.  It  may  be  caused  by  calculi  or 
some  irritating  substance  in  the  food  or  medicine.  The  urine 
must  be  examined  microscopically  to  determine  its  presence.  In 
order  to  clear  up  the  urine,  remove  the  cause  of  the  irritation. 
Give  Jie  animal  something  to  allay  it  and  also  give  him  a  lax- 
ative. Give  the  horse  fluid  extract  Saw  Palmetto  in  ounce  doses 
three  times  a  day. 

OXALURIA. 

Oxaluria  is  a  disease  seen  in  horses  oftener  than  in  any  other 
animal.     It  is  a  condition  in  which  the  oxalic  acid  if  formed  in 


214  -THEORY  AND   PRACTICE 

the  body  crystallizes  out  in  the  urine  in  the  form  of  oxalate  of 
lime.  Oxalic  acid  itself  is  a  product  of  imperfect  combustion  of 
the  nitrogenous  and  amyloidal  substances  of  the  body.  This 
condition  is  found  to  be  comparatively  common  in  animals  which 
are  overfed  and  are  given  irregular  work.  Fatiguing  labor  after 
a  period  of  idleness  and  high  feeding  will  cause  it.  The  most 
aggravated  cases  are  found  in  trotting  stallions. 

Symptoms. — Great  dullness  and  languor  are  marked  symp- 
toms. In  severe  cases  there  is  rapid  loss  of  flesh, — a  difference 
in  flesh  can  be  seen  in  a  horse  within  a  week.  He  has  a  capricious 
appetite.  On  examination  nothing  can  be  found.  The  animal 
runs  from  bad  to  worse  and  gets  stiff  in  the  loins.  In  from 
ten  to  'fifteen  days  a  bran-like  scurf  appears  on  the  skin.  This 
is  a  prominent  symptom.  In  four  or  five  weeks,  if  the  disease 
runs  that  long,  he  becomes  hide  bound  and  emaciated.  He  passes 
water  oftener  than  normal  and  the  urine  is  of  pale  amber  color. 
The  urethra  becomes  scalded  by  the  urine  and  he  dreads  to  mic- 
turate. The  mouth  is  furred,  has  a  sour  smell  and  a  soapy  feel. 
The  bowels  are  irregular.  Upon  testing  the  urine  the  reaction 
will  be  neutral,  but  after  standing  a  little  while  it  will  be  alka- 
line. Examined  microscopically  oxalates  of  lime  will  be  found, 
— octahedral  crystals  in  the  horse  and  dumb-bell  shaped  in  the 
dog  and  human.  These  crystals  are  soluble  in  nitric  acid  with- 
out effervescence,  but  not  in  water  and  are  not  aft'ected  by  boil- 
ing in  acetic  acid  or  by  potassium  hydroxide. 

Treatment. — Indigestion  being  the  cause  of  the  condition, 
give  the  animal  a  complete  change  of  diet  and  withhold  all  sac- 
charines. Give  him  bran,  grass,  etc.,  and  gentle  and  regular  ex- 
ercise. Drinking  water  should  be  pure,  rain  water  is  the  best. 
In  addition  to  this  give  mineral  acids,  hydrochloric  acid.  Give 
vSaw  Palmetto.  If  he  is  in  much  pain,  give  a  little  morphine  or 
codine  and  combine  a  little  belladonna  with  the  palmetto. 

RENAL  CONGESTION. 

Renal  congestion  is  hyperemia  of  the  kidneys.  It  may  occur 
as  a  sequel  of  any  debilitating  disease.  It  may  be  the  result  of 
irritating  substances  applied  to  the  skin  or  being  present  in  the 


OF    VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  215 

food.  Absorption  of  cantharides,  which  has  been  spread  over  a 
large  surface,  or  too  much  turpentine  administered  internally, 
exposure  to  cold  and  dampness,  accidental  injuries  or  violence, 
blood  contamination,— these  are  the  principal  causes  of  renal 
congestion  and  in  all  cases  the  Malpighian  tufts  of  the  kidney 
are  congested.     In  Azoturia  passive  congestion  occurs. 

Posit  Mortem. — The  kidneys  are  very  large  and  red;  there 
Vi^ill  be  ecchymoses  corresponding  to  the  Malpighian  tufts 
sometimes  on  the  surface. 

Treatment. — Ascertain  the  cause  if  possible  and  remove  it. 
If  too  much  turpentine  has  been  given,  give  the  horse  a  small 
dose  of  oil  and  saw  palmetto.  Belladonna  is  indicated  inter- 
nally. Apply  hot  rugs  to  the  loins  and  give  perfect  rest  for  a 
few  days  and  a  light  diet.     Nephritis  usually  follows. 

NEPHRITIS. 

Nephritis  is  inflammation  of  the  kidneys.  There  are  two 
forms.  The  first  form  is  the  mild  or  subacute.  It  follows  some 
debilitating  disease  such  as  influenza, — in  fact  any  weakening 
disease  in  which  the  fever  has  been  high  for  some  time,  say  a 
week.  Congestion  occurs  around  the  loops  of  Henle  and  the 
Malphighian  tufts  and  is  due  to  the  accumulation  of  debris  in 
the  system  resulting  from  the  previous  fever,  during  which  the 
kidneys  were  inactive. 

Pathogenesis. — High  fever  lasting  for  about  a  week  without 
diuresis  being  produced.  The  kidneys  fail  to  remove  the  accu- 
mulating debris  and  become  congested  to  the  extent  of  inflamma- 
tion as  a  result.  This  is  Bright's  disease  of  the  kidneys.  It  is 
seen  most  often  in  the  dog,  cat  and  human,  but  seldom  in  the 
horse. 

Post  Mortem. — The  kidneys  are  found  congested. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  seems  to  be  convalescent  from  the 
fever  which  first  attacked  him  when  suddenly  the  appetite  fails, 
the  urine  becomes  scanty  and  high-colored,  in  some  cases  quite 
red.  Upon  testing  it  albumin  is  present.  Emaciation  takes 
place  and  general  debility  comes  on  rapidly.  There  is  a  staring 
coat,  oedema  of  the  legs  and  stiffness  of  gait. 


216  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Treatment. — Hygiene  should  be  good;  give  scalded  oats  and 
bran,  equal  parts.  The  kidneys  must  be  made  to  work  or  the 
horse  will  die.  Diuretics  are  strongly  indicated ;  at  the  same  time 
keep  the  bowels  slightly  relaxed  with  sulphate  of  sodium.  When 
the  disease  becomes  chronic  the  animal  will  die  but  he  may  live 
for  two  or  three  years. 

The  second  form  of  nephritis  is  the  acute  parenchymatous. 
This  form  come  on  suddenly  with  a  tendency  to  kill  in  about 
five  days  or  produces  one  or  more  abscesses,  later.  If  it  attacks 
both  kidneys  it  will  kill  in  five  days,  but  if  only  one  is  affected 
the  horse  may  live  for  some  time  and  possibly  recover. 

Etiology. — Anything  that  causes  renal  congestion  may  cause 
acute  parenchymatous  nephritis.  Sometimes  severe  strains  of 
the  psoas  muscles  cause  inflammation  which  extends  to  the  kid- 
neys.    The  most  typical  cases  come  from  cold  and  dampness. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  in  great  pain  and  has  an  anxious 
countenance,  glistening  eyes,  and  although  restless  is  disinclined 
to  move  and  yet  may  sweat.  His  temperature  may  run  up  four 
to  six  degrees.  He  does  not  seem  to  wish  to  move  his  hind  legs 
and  stands  persistently.  He  passes  only  a  small  quantity  of  urine 
and  it  is  hot  and  high-colored.  H  pressure  is  put  against  the  af- 
fected part  there  is  pain.  H  the  horse  is  forced  to  move  he  has 
a  straddling  gait.  There  is  great  loss  of  appetite.  He  grows 
rapidly  worse  and  may  die  in  the  course  of  three  days,  but  the 
general  average  is  five.  The  urine  is  entirely  suppressed  before 
death.     The  form  of  death  is  syncope. 

Post  Mortem. — In  a  very  acute  case  without  pus  the  kidneys 
will  be  swollen  and  dark  red.  Occasionally  you  will  find  part 
of  one  or  both  gangrenous. 

Treatment. — This  form  of  acute  nephritis  requires  prompt 
treatment.  Put  hot  wet  rugs  over  the  loins  and  change  them 
every  half  hour.  Keep  the  animal  where  he  is  warm  and  com- 
fortable. Give  rectal  injections  of  warm  water  with  a  little  bella- 
donna in  it, — Fl.  Ext.  Bella,  half  ounce  to  water  four  pints. 
Give  horse  linseed  tea  to  drink,  acetanilid  in  moderate  doses  as 
often  as  he  can  stand  it  and  aconite  in  small  repeated  doses.  No 
matter  what  the  treatment,  however,  the  animal  very  seldom,  if 
ever,  recovers. 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  217 

RENAL  CALCULUS. 

A  renal  calculus  is  a  calcareous  secretion  which  is  usually 
found  in  the  pelvis  of  the  kidney.  It  may  be  in  the  form  of 
stone  of  considerable  size  or  it  may  be  in  the  form  of  gravel, 
which  floats  down  through  the  ureters  with  the  urine  into  the 
bladder.  The  calcareous  material  may  lodge  in  the  ureters  or 
may  remain  in  the  bladder  to  form  large  stones.  In  case  the 
ureter  becomes  obstructed  the  pelvis  of  the  kidneys  will  become 
distended,  local  inflammation  will  follow  with  more  or  less  sup- 
puration. Suppurative  nephritis  will  be  the  ultimate  result  un- 
less the  stone  is  dislodged.  A  horse  in  this  condition  would  die 
from  a  combination  of  pyaemia  and  uraemia  and  coma  would  be 
the  form  of  death.  The  stone  is  composed  of  carbonate  and 
phosphate  of  lime,  the  carbonates  predominating. 

Symptoms. — Colicky  pains  at  irregular  intervals  are  present, 
especially  after  severe  exercise.  The  urine  is  exceedingly  heavy, 
being  charged  with  earthy  salts.  Occasionally  there  is  some  blood 
in  the  urine  and  it  will  clot  on  the  floor.  Upon  examination  of 
the  ureter  through  the  rectum  you  can  delect  the  distension  and 
will  feel  the  soft,  fluctuating  enlargement  which  can  be  traced 
to  the  kidney. 

Treatment. — Give  the  horse  pure  water  to  drink  (rain  water 
is  the  best).  Give  plenty  of  bran  and  grass  in  season  and  hydro- 
chloric acid  in  dram  doses  once  a  day  in  a  pint  of  water, 

CYSTITIS. 

Cystitis  is  inflammation  of  the  lining  of  the  bladder. 

Etiology. — The  inflammation  may  result  from  calculi  or  from 
gravel.  The  most  common  cause  is  irritation  of  the  mucosa  or 
irritating  substances  in  the  food  or  water.  In  the  human  it  is 
often  caused  by  gonorrhoea. 

Semeiology. — Nervous  excitement  is  marked  at  first  and  then 
depression  comes  on.  Elevation  of  temperature  may  or  may  not 
be  preseni.  Micturition  is  very  painful  with  spasms  of  the 
bladder  (tenesmus).  The  horse  urinates  frequently  and  the 
urine   is   in   small   quantities,   hot   and   high-colored,    sometimes 


218  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

streaked  with  blood,  especially  if  the  condition  is  caused  by  cal- 
culi, or  gravel.  The  bowels  are  apt  to  be  congested  and  the 
stools  coated  with  slime.  If  the  cause  of  irritation  is  in  the 
alimentary  tract,  then  its  mucous  membrane  will  be  congested 
and  catarrhal.  The  disease  may  run  a  rapid  course  and  termi- 
nate fatally  in  three  or  four  days  But  in  a  mild  case  it  may 
run  three  or  four  weeks. 

Treatment. — General  anodyne  course  should  be  followed.  If 
the  inflammation  is  caused  by  a  calculus,  remove  it  if  possible. 
The  anodyne  course  is  to  give  him  linseed  tea  with  rain  w^ater. 
To  keep  up  the  strength  of  the  horse,  give  him  raw  eggs  and 
milk  and  if  he  will  eat  it,  grass.  If  the  cause  of  the  irritation 
can  be  removed,  then  put  the  animal  on  stimulants  such  as 
strychnine,  nitro-glycerine,  etc.  Flush  the  bladder  with  a  sat- 
urated solution  of  boracic  acid  two  or  three  times  a  day.  The 
catheter  should  be  sterilized  and  the  solution  should  be  run  in 
from  a  fountain  syringe.  Cramps  may  occur,  but  when  they 
cease,  go  on  with  the  treatment.  Keep  the  bowels  open  with 
a  laxative  and  give  rather  liberally  saw  palmetto  or  san  metto. 

DYSURIA. 

Dysuria  is  the  painful  passage  of  urine.  This  may  be  caused 
by  the  partial  obstruction  or  irritation  of  the  mucous  lining  of 
the  urethra.  The  most  aggravated  cases  of  this  is  seen  from 
gravel  in  the  form  of  cystic  calculi  or  smaller  grains  floating 
down  the  urethra.  In  males  the  next  most  common  cause  is  en- 
largement of  the  prostrate  glands.  It  generally  comes  in  old 
age,  and  is  attributed  to  too  much  stud  work.  Occasionally,  but 
rarely,  it  is  seen  in  geldings.  Dysuria  is  sometimes  caused  by  a 
sabulous  concretion  in  the  fossa  navicularis,  called  by  horsemen 
the  *'bean."  It  is  sometimes  so  great  as  to  press  upon  the 
urethra.  Other  causes  of  dysuria  are  thickening  of  the  neck  of 
the  bladder  from  cystitis  of  the  bulbous  portion  of  the  urethra^ 
cancer  of  the  penis,  tumor  of  the  glands  penis,  foulness  of  the 
sheath  from  the  accumulation  of  sebaceous  material,  producing 
swelling  and  pressure.  Another  cause  is  the  horse  urinating  in 
his  sheath  either  from  habit  or  malformation.    In  the  female^ 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  219 

at  the  opening  in  the  vagina  there  is  often  found  a  small  tumor, 
called  a  caruncle,  which  extends  sometimes  into  the  urethra  and 
makes  micturition  slow  and  painful.  Prolapsus  of  the  uterus 
m.ay  be  a  cause ;  hardened  feces  may  press  down  upon  the  vagina 
and  urethra.  In  the  male  stings  of  bees  may  cause  swelling  of 
the  sheath. 

Treatment. — If  possible  locate  the  cause.  This  is  sometimes 
very  difficult.  In  case  of  enlargement  of  the  prostrate  in  the 
dog  or  stallion  the  old  treatment  consisted  in  applying  tincture  of 
iodine  to  the  perineum  and  giving  idodide  of  potash  internally 
for  a  long  time.  But  this  is  more  or  less  injurious  to  the  re- 
productive power  of  the  animal  Pass  the  catheter  occasionally: 
in  bad  cases  it  may  be  passed  tw^o  or  three  times  a  day.  In  the 
human  the  prostrate  gland  may  have  to  be  removed  in  part,  but 
this  is  a  very  dangerous  operation.  In  case  of  thickening  of 
the  neck  of  the  bladder  give  external  treatment  that  will  allay 
the  irritation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  bladder,  which  is 
often  due  to  the  acid  condition  of  the  urine  caused  by  eating  too 
much  meat.  In  such  a  case  alkalies  will  overcome  the  acidity 
and  relieve  it.  Retire  the  animal  from  stud  work  according  to 
the  severity  of  the  case.  In  foulness  of  the  sheath,  wash  the 
parts  with  soap  and  water  and  introduce  a  wad  of  absorbent  cot- 
ton dipped  in  carbolized  oil.  Sw^ab  out  once  a  day  and  at  each 
dressing  bring  the  penis  down,  pulling  gently  and  slowly. 

ISCHURIA. 

Ischuria  is  suppression  of  the  urine.  There  may  be  none  se- 
creted or  there  may  be  inability  to  pass  it  if  it  is  present.  When 
the  latter  is  the  case  it  is  usually  from  paralysis  of  the  muscular 
coat  of  the  bladder. 

This  condition  usually  exists  when  the  horse  is  kept  too  long 
without  giving  him  a  chance  to  urinate.  Some  horses  are  pe- 
culiar as  to  when  and  how  they  do  this,  so  never  fail  to  humor 
them  in  their  peculiarities  in  this  respect.  Therefore,  when  you 
notice  colicky  pains,  switching  of  the  tail,  and  restlessness  you 
can  suspect  the  cause.  ]Many  horses  dislike  to  urinate  while 
down;  therefore  in  azoturia  the  water  should  be   drawn   from 


220  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

them.  When  a  horse  is  to  be  raised  with  sHngs,  never  fail  to 
draw  the  water  from  him  before  raising  him  or  rupture  of  the 
bladder  may  occur.  When  no  urine  is  secreted  as  in  purpura 
hemorrhagica,  then  the  kidneys  are  at  fault. 

Treatment. — When  the  urine  is  not  secreted  diuretics  and 
diffusible  stimulants  are  indicated.  If  there  is  spasmodic  con- 
traction of  the  neck  of  the  bladder,  then  anodynes  should  be 
given, — as  hot  water  and  belladonna.  Try  passing  the  catheter 
smeared  with  solid  extract  of  belladonna.  This  will  often  relieve 
the  constriction.  If  you  are  sure  of  paralysis  being  present, 
give  one  dram  of  powdered  nux  vomica  in  the  feed  night  and 
morning  for  a  few  days. 

The  condition  should  be  treated  promptly  and  the  animal  not 
neglected.     Otherwise  the  case  may  become  serious. 

ENURESIS. 

Enuresis  is  incontinuence  of  the  urine.  When  the  animal  can- 
not retain  the  urine  in  the  bladder  it  dribbles  away  as  it  forms. 
The  condition  is  usually  due  to  paralysis  of  the  neck  of  the 
bladder ;  the  muscles  fail  to  contract  and  the  urine  dribbles  down 
the  legs,  scalding  them.  It  is  sometimes  very  painful.  In  the 
male  the  penis  becomes  paralyzed  and  hangs  down. 

Treatment. — Nerve  tonics  are  indicated,  with  local  shocking 
such  as  dashing  cold  water  on  the  perineum.  This  often  resus- 
citates the  waning  power.  A  gallon  of  water  given  per  rectum 
produces  a  shock  and  this  comes  in  good  in  this  condition.  Nux 
vomica  taken  continuously  for  a  month  will  promote  the  general 
health. 

Strangury  is  the  passage  of  the  urine  in  drops  on  account  of 
severe  irritability  of  the  mucous  lining  of  the  bladder  or  of  the 
muscularis.  The  urine  comes  away  every  few  minutes  in  drops 
or  in  small  quantities.  Apparently  there  is  hyper?esthesia  of  the 
bladder  mucosa.  The  retention  of  the  urine  causes  inflammation 
of  the  bladder. 

The  treatment  must  be  toward  allaying  the  irritability. 
Therefore  give  anodynes  such  as  opium,  belladonna,  etc.,  and 
laxatives, — oil  and  linseed  tea  to  drink, 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  221 

URETHRITIS. 

Inflammation  of  the  lining  of  the  urethra  is  called  urethritis. 
Any  of  the  causes  producing  inflammation  in  the  bladder  may 
cause  urethritis.  If  a  stallion  copulates  with  a  mare  suffering 
from  leucorrhcea,  urethritis  is  apt  to  follow. 

Treatment. — Mild  soothing  diuretics  and  stimulants  in  the 
form  of  copaiba,  1  dram  dose  three  times  a  day,  or  oil  of  sandal- 
wood are  good  remedies.  Suspend  the  horse's  stud  work.  Be 
careful  about  using  local  injection.  A  solution  of  bichloride  of 
mercury  1  to  2000  can  be  used  and  twenty-four  hours  after  an- 
other solution  1  to  6000.  Do  this  twice  a  day  for  two  or  three 
days.  In  all  these  cases  relax  the  bowels  with  the  salines.  As 
a  rule  the  inflammation  does  not  extend  further  up  than  three  to 
six  inches,  but  if  it  does,  it  is  due  to  the  irritation  of  gravel  in 
the  bladder.  If  the  condition  arises  in  a  stallion,  retire  for  a 
week  or  two.  Clean  the  parts  with  soap  and  water  three  times 
a  day  and  at  the  same  time  syringe  mild  antiseptics  into  the 
urethra.  Solution  of  sulphate  of  zinc  two  grains  to  an  ounce 
of  water  is  the  best.  Do  not  manipulate  the  penis  after  injection. 

Rupture  of  the  bladder  may  occur  occasionally  but  it  is  very 
rare.  It  is  more  likely  to  occur  in  the  human  than  in  the  other 
animals.  It  may  be  seen  in  cases  of  azoturia  or  in  cases  of  long 
rentention  of  the  urine,  or  it  may  be  ruptured  by  raising  a  re- 
cumbent horse  with  slings  without  first  emptying  the  bladder. 
It  is  always  fatal. 

Eversion  of  the  bladder  often  occurs.  The  bladder  protrudes 
through  the  vulva,  appearing  like  a  case  of  prolapsus  or  a  poly- 
pus. Examination  will  tell  the  difference.  The  lining  of  the 
bladder  is  velvety  and  soft  and  the  openings  of  the  ureters  can 
be  found.  Return  the  bladder  to  its  proper  position  with  a 
probang  and  give  anodynes  and  oil. 

TUMORS. 

A  tumor  may  be  defined  as  any  prominence  or  growth,  un- 
natural, on  the  body  or  in  any  organ  or  gland.  It  may  be  com- 
posed of  the  same  tissue  as  where  it  grows,  or  it  may  be  en- 


222  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

tirely  dissimilar.  A  tumor  grows  by  cell-proliferation,  the  same 
as  other  parts  of  the  body ;  new  blood  vessels  and  lymphatics  ex- 
tend into  the  growth  and  furnish  it  nutriment.  These  nutrient 
vessels  are  usually  much  enlarged.  As  a  rule  nerve  fibers  ex- 
tend into  a  tumor.  Tumors  are  subject  to  all  the  changes  which 
occur  in  any  other  tissue,  such  as  fatty  degeneration,  suppuration, 
ulceration,  gangrene,  pigmentation,  calcification,  etc.  Necrosis 
sometimes  takes  place,  often  to  such  an  extent  as  to  entirely 
destroy  the  tumor. 

Tumors  are  of  various  shapes  and  forms :  nodular,  when  re- 
sembling nodules ;  tuberous,  when  like  a  tuber ;  fungoid,  when 
cauliflower  shaped ;  polypoid,  when  like  a  polypus  pear  shaped ; 
papillary,  when  they  are  shaped  like  a  papula ;  dentritic,  when 
they  have  roots  or  branches.  Tumors  may  be  single  or  multi- 
ple; this  is  particularly  seen  in  black  cancer,  such  as  is  seen 
around  the  tails  of  white  horses — the  melanotic  tumors. 

Tumors  are  either  malignant  or  benign.  A  malignant  tumor 
has  the  following  characteristics  :  ( 1 )  It  invades  the  surround- 
ing tissues  by  peripheral  or  eccentric  growth  ;  (2)  it  has  a  ten- 
dency to  recur  locally  after  rerrioval ;  (3)  it  will  spread  to  other 
parts  of  the  body,  by  metastasis;  (4)  it  has  a  tendency  to  inter- 
fere with  the  nutrition  and  well  being  of  the  body  and  results 
in  cachexia. 

The  real  cause  of  tumors  is  not  known.  Predisposing  causes 
are  such  as  heredity,  mechanical  injuries,  parasitic  invasion, — in 
fact  anything  that  will  lower  the  resistance  of  the  animal.  Con- 
heim  developed  the  theory  that  tumors  are  due  to  embryonal 
displacement, — either  to  misplaced  cells  or  to  superfluous  cells. 
Tumors  do  not  develop  in  young  animals  so  much  as  in  old. 
The  melanotic  tumors  in  horses  do  not  develop  usually  until  the 
age  of  ten  or  fifteen  years. 

Tumors  may  be  divided  into  six  large  classes : 
1.  Connective  tissue  tumors  (histioid). 

a.  Fibroma. 

b.  Myxoma. 

c.  Sarcoma — round,  spindle-celled,    mixed,    and 
giant-celled. 

d.  Endothelioma. 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  223 

e.  Lipoma. 

f.  Chondroma. 

g.  Osteoma, 
h.  Glioma. 

2.  Myomata. 

3.  Neuromata. 

4.  Angiomata. 

5.  Epitheliomata. 

6.  Teratomata.    These  are  mixed  tumors,  which  are 

composed  of  all  kinds  of  tissue.  They  are  con- 
genital. Teeth  and  hair  may  be  found  in  them. 
Tumors  of  the  first  and  fifth  classes  are  most  likely  to  be- 
come malignant.  A  malignant  tumor  is  called  a  cancer,  and 
there  are  several  different  kinds,  such  as  hard,  soft,  pigmented, 
etc.  A  hard  cancer  is  called  a  scirrhus  cancer,  especially  by  the 
old  writers.  A  scirrhus  cancer  is  very  hard  and  dense  and  con- 
sists of  white  tissue.  It  is  sometimes  of  uneven  hardness ;  other 
times  it  has  hard  projections  extending  from  it  into  the  tissue  to 
which  it  is  attached.  The  tumor  cuts  like  cartilage  and  from  the 
cut  surface  a  persistent  hemorrhage  is  prone  to  occur.  When 
operating  it  is  difiicuit  to  arrest  the  hemorrhage.  The  scirrhus 
has  a  special  liking  for  the  lymphatic  glands.  Unless  such  a 
growth  interferes  with  mastication  or  some  other  functional  ac- 
tivity it  will  produce  little  or  no  harm  until  it  begins  to  break 
down,  when  ulceration  may  take  place  and  eventually  the  tissue 
refuses  to  heal.  Early  removal  with  the  knife  is  the  only 
treatment. 

As  examples  of  the  soft  cancers  may  be  mentioned  the  en- 
cephaloma,  fungus  haematoid,  seen  growing  in  the  eyes  of  cat- 
tle, medullary  fungus,  etc.  The  soft  cancerous  fungi  may  be 
found  in  any  of  the  tissues,  but  mostly  in  the  glands.  In  the 
horse  it  is  often  found  on  the  penis  and  may  extend  to  the  testi- 
.  cles ;  also  on  the  vulva  in  the  mare.  It  may  affect  bones  and  may 
arise  in  the  periosteum.  To  the  touch  the  tumor  has  a  soft 
fluctuating  feel,  but  there  is  no  pus  in  it.  Upon  cutting  into  it  a 
profuse  hemorrhage  will  take  place.  Around  such  tumors  is  a 
network  of  veins  which  have  increased  in  size  greatly  and  this 


224  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

feature  makes  it  difficult  to  operate.     These  tumors  often  break 
down  and  granulate,  going  on  to  ulceration. 

Colloid  degeneration  frequently  takes  place  in  tumors,  espe- 
cially in  epithelial  tumors.  The  colloid  material  is  amber-colored 
and  resembles  half  melted  glue  in  consistency.  Other  forms  of 
degeneration  are  the  mucoid  and  the  contents  may  become  very 
fluid,  forming  a  cyst. 

Of  the  connective  tissue  tumors  which  become  malignant  the 
sarcoma  is  the  most  common  type.  The  tumor  cell  is  a  round 
cell  or  spindle  shaped.  The  round  celled  sarcomata  are  the 
m.ost  malignant.  These  tumors  are  very  prone  to  metastasis.  The. 
so-called  melanotic  cancer  is  a  type  of  sarcoma.  Each  cell  con- 
tains an  abundance  of  pigment,  which  is  often  of  so  great  amount 
that  the  form  of  the  cell,  its  nucleus,  etc.,  cannot  be  made  out. 
The  pigment  may  invade  the  intercellular  substance  as  well. 
These  black  tumors  have  every  feature  of  malignancy.  Some- 
times they  develop  very  suddenly,  producing  great  lameness.  No 
tissue  m  the  body  is  exempt  from  them,  but  their  favorite  sites 
are  the  vulva,  the  anus,  and  the  bare  part  under  the  tail.  When 
removed,  they  come  back  in  some  other  part.  They  are  found 
most  frequently  in  old  white  horses. 

The  epithelial  cancer  is  common.  This  tumor  is  composed 
of  epithelial  cells,  which  can  be  of  any  type.  The  tumors  may 
grow  and  develop  in  the  skin  and  mucous  membrane  or  in  the 
glands.  Metastasis  usually  follows  and  even  though  the  tumor 
be  removed,  it  will  most  always  recur. 

A  benign  tumor  usually  is  surrounded  by  a  capsule.  It  may 
consist  of  fat,  cartilage,  fibrous  connective  tissue  or  bone. 

The  fibrous  connective  tissue  tumor  is  called  a  fibroma.  It 
may  be  soft  or  hard.  The  polypus  is  a  form  of  soft  fibroma 
which  is  usually  found  in  the  nose.  It  is  attached  by  a  pedicle 
and  in  the  horse  it  may  be  so  long  as  to  interfere  with  the  epi- 
glottis. It  produces  a  difficulty  in  breathing,  a  sort  of  snoring 
or  snuffling,  the  same  as  heard  in  the  pug  dog.  The  best  way  to 
remove  a  polypus  is  with  a  wire  ecraseur.  If  the  neck  of  the 
polypus  is  small,  it  can  be  twisted  off  with  a  pair  of  forceps. 
After  removing,  wash  out  with  perchloride  of  iron — 1  dram  to 
the  pint  of  water — twice  a  day.     Another  kind  of  fibroma  is  the 


OF   Y'ETERINARY    MEDICINE.  22S 

wart.  The  eyelids  and  the  legs  are  the  usual  places  for  warts. 
Not  only  is  the  connective  tissue  increased  to  form  the  bulk  of 
the  wart,  but  the  surface  epithelium  is  increased  also  and  they 
may  become  malignant. 

An  interesting  polypus  is  sometimes  found  in  the  vagina  of 
the  mare  and  may  grow  to  a  large  size.  It  could  be  confused 
with  an  everted  bladder  or  with  an  impervious  hymen  in  fillies. 

The  condroma  or  cartilaginous  tumor  develops  commonly 
on  the  sternum  of  the  horse  or  ox,  following  injury.  In  the 
horses  we  may  find  one  growing  in  the  trachea,  following  trach- 
eotomy or  from  kicks  and  wounds.  If  they  are  limited  in  size, 
they  can  be  removed  with  the  knife,  but  when  large,  removal 
is  impracticable.  In  the  early  stage  of  their  growth  they  are 
largely  made  up  of  fibrous  connective  tissue. 

The  so-called  osteoma  or  bone  tumor  is  usually  an  inflam- 
matory growth  and  it  is  not  a  true  tumor. 

The  lipoma  or  fatty  tumor  consists  of  fat  and  it  is  liable  to 
grow  in  any  animal  and  in  any  part.  Such  a  tumor  is  easily  re- 
moved ;  it  is  non-vascular.    Apply  a  little  cocaine  when  operating. 

The  neuroma  is  a  nerve  tumor  and  it  is  most  commonly  seen 
as  a  sequel  of  neurotomy.  In  this  operation  the  nerve  should 
be  drawn  down  and  cut  off  so  that  the  end  will  draw  up  into  the 
wound.  Then  it  will  not  grow  out  into  the  granulations  which 
form  during  the  healing  of  the  wound.  You  will  find  that  when 
the  horse  is  not  benefited  by  the  operation  of  neurotomy,  it  is 
usually  due  to  the  formation  of  one  of  these  tumors. 

CYSTS. 

Cysts  are  very  common  and  they  are  important.  Examples 
are  Capped  Hock,  Capped  Knee,  Wind  Galls,  etc.  They  may 
grow  on  any  part  of  the  body,  inside  or  outside.  They  may 
contain  hair  and  they  are  lined  with  skin  as  well  as  being  cov- 
ered with  it.  They  usually  follow  an  injury.  When  produced 
they  rapidly  fill  with  serum  and  an  acute  inflammation  takes 
place  in  from  12  to  48  hours. 

Treatinoif. — For  cystic  tumors  on  a  horse's  legs  the  first 
thing  to  do,  especially  if  they  are  of  large  size,  is  to  open  them. 


226  THEORY   AND   PRACTiC^ 

In  capped  hock  it  has  been  proven  that  an  incission  can  be  made 
with  safety  and  it  is  the  only  satisfactory  treatment.  If  the 
tumor  is  not  tapped,  eventually  a  fibrous  growth  will  form,  which 
may  prove  difficult  to  remove. 

Operation. — First  find  where  the  point  of  injury  is  and  lo- 
cate the  size  and  position  of  the  cyst  by  palpation.  Open  it  with 
a  sharp  pointed  bistoury,  never  a  scalpel,  as  near  the  bottom  as 
possible.  Manipulate  the  tumor  so  as  to  make  it  bulge  at  the 
point  to  be  incised  and  insert  the  knife  slowly  at  the  bottom, 
pointing  it  inward,  upward  and  outward,  till  the  point  of  the 
knife  is  about  an  inch  from  the  insertion  and  then  cut  through. 
Sometimes  you  will  not  cut  deep  enough  and  the  serum  will  not 
flow,  then  cut  again  a  little  deeper  in  a  similar  manner.  Do  not 
be  afraid  if  the  blood  flows  freely,  for  the  hemorrhage  can  be 
stopped.  Syringe  out  the  cyst  with  an  iodine  solution.  This 
will  prevent  reforming.  Tincture  ot  iodine,  full  strength,  can 
be  used.  Never  syringe  after  the  first  time.  Dip  a  wad  of 
oakum  in  some  antiseptic  solution  and  insert  in  the  sack.  Bathe 
the  wound  with  hot  water  an  hour  at  a  time  and  insert  a  fresh 
piece  of  oakum  after  each  bathing.  Keep  up  this  treatment  for 
10  to  20  days,  by  which  time  the  place  will  usually  become 
healed.  A  hard  fibrous  swelling  will  usually  form  in  the  place 
of  the  cyst  and  the  parts  should  be  bathed  with  witch  hazel, 
added  to  the  same  amount  of  water.  Wrap  the  parts  in  flannel 
and  give  a  little  walking  exercise.  Animal  will  be  all  right  in 
about  six  weeks. 

If  an  old  case  is  brought  to  you,  open  and  make  a  new  wound 
of  it,  poultice  and  after  about  a  month  put  on  a  mild  blister.  If 
the  wound  tends  to  heal  with  the  formation  of  much  fibrous  tis- 
sue, hand  rubbing  will  help  it  very  much. 

Serous  cysts  on  the  knees  of  cattle  can  be  opened  and  treated 
all  right  if  they  are  young  in  growth,  but  if  old  chronic  cases, 
the  doctor  would  better  let  them  alone.  Where  they  form  in 
other  parts  of  the  body,  from  kicks  and  injuries,  etc.,  they  can 
be  opened  at  the  bottom  and  some  antiseptic  be  injected.  Use 
hot  applications  an  hour  at  a  time  and  regulate  the  diet.  In 
capped  elbow,  where  the  tumor  is  small  and  bagging,  it  can  be 
removed  by  ligating.     Tie  a  cord  around  it  tightly  and  after  two 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  227 

or  three  days  another  a  little  tighter  for  a  day  and  then  cut  off 
and  sear  with  a  hot  iron.  Considerable  inflammation  is  apt  to 
accompany  this  method,  but  it  is  the  best  way. 

The  ovarian  cyst  is  common  in  women,  cows  and  cats.  It  is 
a  dropsical  condition  of  the  ovary  and  it  does  not  always  involve 
the  whole  of  the  organ.  In  the  human  these  cysts  may  become 
malignant  by  the  growth  of  the  epithelium  lining  the  cavity. 

Sometimes  these  cysts  can  be  treated  heroically  by  inserting 
the  hand  in  the  vagina  and  another  hand  in  the  anus  and  crush- 
ing the  cyst  between  the  two.  The  serum  escapes  into  the  ab- 
dominal cavity  and  does  no  harm.  Give  soft  feed  and  rest  and 
the  animal  will  recover  in  a  day  or  two. 

Mucous  cysts  develop  in  the  mucous  membrane  and  fill  with 
mucus  instead  of  serum.  In  the  mouth  they  are  called  Ranula, 
and  they  grow  into  long,  tuberous  forms.  Slit  them  up  full 
length  and  wash  out  with  boracic  acid  solution. 

Cysts  in  the  thyroid  gland  are  called  bronchocele  when  they 
are  filled  with  water,  and  goitre  when  they  fill  with  the  solid 
colloid  substance.  Goitre  is  very  common  in  dogs  and  they  fre- 
quently develop  into  malignant  growths  of  the  sarcomatous  type. 

Treatment. — In  new  growths,  paint  the  parts  with  iodine  once 
a  day  and  give  iodide  of  potash  internally.  If  the  skin  gets 
sore,  cease  the  treatment  for  a  time  and  then  continue  again.  It 
is  a  dangerous  operation  to  attempt  to  dissect  such  a  tumor  out. 
It  is,  however,  an  operation  that  is  becoming  more  common 
every  day,  especially  in  the  human.  Goitre  is  also  very  common 
in  the  stallion.  Thyroid  extract  is  used  in  the  treatment  of  goi- 
ters in  dogs  with  much  success. 

Dentigeroiis  or  teeth-bearing  cysts  are  often  found.  Tumor 
teeth  may  be  found  most  anywhere,  but  frequently  at  the  base 
of  the  ear.  sometimes  in  the  maxillary  sinuses  or  the  frontal  and 
also  in  the  testicles  or  ovaries.  When  they  develop  at  the  base 
of  the  ear,  there  will  first  be  seen  a  little  swelling,  which  will 
grow  suddenly  and  finally  rupture.  Upon  cutting  it  through  a 
molar  tooth  may  be  found  which  seems  to  grow  without  a  matrix. 

Certain  inflammations  may  result  in  hard  fibrous  swellings 
which  become  more  or  less  permanent.  The  so-called  scirrhous 
cord  is  one  example.     It  is  not  a  true  tumor,  but  is  the  result  of 


228  THEORY   AXD    TRACTICE 

inflammation  following  castration  and  the  botryomyces  is  sup- 
posed to  play  a  role.  Some  part  of  the  fibrous  mass  will  usually 
dve  evidence  of  an  abscess  in  the  wall  of  which  the  fungus  can 
be  found.  Several  different  kinds  of  these  botryomyces  have 
been  described  and  probably  no  particular  kind  is  specific.  The 
fungus  seems  to  be  a  very  large  sized  coccus,  which  is  found  in 
masses  mucli  like  the  zoogloea. 

Muscle  tumors  or  myormta,  are  not  very  common.  If  a 
proliferation  of  the  non-striated  muscle  they  are  called  leiomy- 
oma; if  of  the  striated,  rhahdomyoma.  Leiomyoma  is  the  most 
common.  In  the  horse  leiomyoma  of  the  kidney  has  been  re- 
ported and  in  the  sheep,  of  the  liver.  In  the  human  a  common 
tumor  is  the  uterine  'fibroid,  which  is  a  mixture  of  non-striated 
muscle  and  fibrous  connective  tissue.  Leiomyoma  of  the  ovary 
is  rare. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  BONES. 

All  of  the  lower  animals  are  subject  to  diseases  of  the  bones. 
The  horse  especially  is  more  prone  to  bone  disease  because  of 
high  feeding  and  rapidity  of  gait.  In  health  bone  is  insensible, 
but  in  disease  it  is  very  sensitive. 

Inflammation  of  the  bone  substance  is  called  osteitis ;  of  the 
periosteum,  periostitis;  of  the  marrow,  osteomyelitis.  The 
three  forms  of  inflammation  are  dififlcult  to  separate.  They  are 
usually  the  result  of  external  injury. 

Inflammation  of  the  bone  has  the  same  phenomena  as  in- 
flammation occurring  in  soft  tissue.  It  is  attended  by  very 
many  of  the  same  changes,  but  on  account  of  the  dense  substance 
making  up  the  bone  tissue  somewhat  different  results  come  about. 
Serum,  fibrin  and  pus  may  be  found  but  they  will  be  less  in 
amount.  The  hard  substance  of  the  bone  will  be  absorbed  to 
greater  or  less  extent  and  become  replaced  by  animal  matter,  and 
there  results  a  deficiency  in  the  earthy  or  mineral  matter.  The 
newly  formed  tissue  is  the  so-called  granulation  tissue  of  bone, 
which  after  a  time  becomes  ossified.  This  tissue  may  be  very 
vascular  before  ossification  takes  place.  Although  the  bone  is 
much  enlarged  as  the  result  of  the  inflammation,  yet  it  is  much 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  229 

lighter.  This  condition  is  a  rarifying  process  and  it  is  called 
osteoporosis.  The  Haversian  spaces  are  much  increased  in  size 
and  tl>e  bone  is  made  porous.  Osteoporosis  may  be  observed 
both  in  spongy  and  compact  bone. 

Osteosclerosis  is  analogous  to  cicatricial  formation  of  the 
fibrous  connective  tissue  and  is  a  result  of  inflammation  of  bone. 
It  may  occur  without  any  apparent  cause  in  senility  in  the  diploe 
of  the  skull,  causing  it  to  become  dense.  It  always  occurs  about 
carious  and  necrotic  areas,  constituting  one  of  the  chief  means  by 
which  the  sequestrum  is  surrounded  by  new  dense  bony  tissue. 
Osteosclerotic  exostoses  of  ivory-like  hardness  are  called  ebur- 
nations.     Such  bone  is  much  heavier  than  normal. 

Periosititis  may  be  acute  or  chronic.  In  the  acute  form  the 
morbid  changes  are  found  first  in  the  periosteum  itself,  which 
becomes  swollen,  hyperaemic  and  more  or  less  infiltrated  with 
serum.  In  some  cases  infection  takes  place  and  suppuration  oc- 
curs. The  pus  collects  between  the  periosteum  and  the  bone, 
elevating  the  membrane — (subperiosteal  abscess).  This  fre- 
quently brings  about  a  molecular  destruction  of  the  surface  of 
the  bone,  causing  the  mineral  structure  to  crumble  away,  and 
leaving  softened  and  excavated  areas,  while  particles  of  the  dis- 
integrated bone  lie  free  in  the  surrounding  tissue.  To  this  mole- 
cular death  and  destruction  of  bone  the  name  caries  is  given. 

Caries  usually  occurs  in  cancellated  bone.  It  is  often  seen  in 
fistulous  withers,  caused  by  the  pus  burroughing  down  to  the 
bone.  The  depressed  surface  has  a  peculiar  velvety  feel.  It  is 
also  seen  in  poll-evil  and  may  involve  the  axis  or  even  the  den- 
tata  in  poll-evil.  Foot  Rot  in  sheep  is  often  followed  by  caries 
of  the  digits.  In  treating  such  a  condition,  open  up  the  sinuses 
or  diseased  parts  and  scrape  out  all  the  diseased  portions  and  a 
little  of  the  healthy  part  as  well.  Treat  antiseptically  and  the 
bone  will  granulate  the  same  as  other  tissues. 

The  acute  forms  terminate  either  in  recovery  without  dam- 
age to  the  bone,  when  the  abscesses  are  absorbed  or  rupture  ex- 
ternally;  or  in  caries  or  necrosis,  with  subsequent  chronic  dis- 
turbances induced  by  the  process  of  bone-destruction,  that  may 
continue  during  the  entire  life  of  the  animal  or  require  surgical 
interference. 


230  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

Chronic  periostitis  is  divided  into  fibrous  and  ossifying  forms. 
In  fibrous  periostitis  the  characteristic  feature  is  the  transforma- 
tion of  the  periosteum  into  a  dense  fibrous  tissue,  which  closely 
adheres  to  the  bone  and  later  ossifies. 

Osteitis  and  osteomyelitis  are  almost  invariably  associated. 
It  is  almost  impossible  to  find  the  bone  inflamed  without  the  in- 
volvement of  the  marrow.  This  inflammation  is  infectious  and 
seems  to  depend  upon  the  bacteria  which  are  disseminated  by 
the  blood  and  lodge  in  the  vessels  of  the  bone.  The  disease 
usually  begins  in  the  marrow  cavities  of  the  long  bones,  but  may 
occur  in  the  short  bones,  or  even  in  the  flat  bones  of  the  skull. 
The  marrow  is  first  found  to  be  deeply  congested  and  of  dark- 
red  color.  When  the  bone  is  sawed  through  the  congested  mar- 
row bulges  outward.  In  the  majority  of  cases  there  is  more  or 
less  suppuration  and  the  pus  collects  in  small  cavities,  forming 
abscesses  in  the  bone.  In  severe  cases  extensive  necrosis  may 
result. 

The  greater  number  of  cases  heal  by  resolution,  some  in 
erosion  of  the  bone,  external  evacuation  of  the  pus,  necrosis  and 
then  a  chronic  inflammation  set  up  by  the  sequestrum.  Some 
cases  are  fatal  in  consequence  of  pyemia.  The  extent  of  the 
necrosis  that  may  follow  osteomyelitis  and  periostitis  is  variable 
according  to  the  severity  of  the  case.  In  severe  cases  the  entire 
shaft  may  die..  The  dead  bone  is  known  as  a  sequestrum. 
Chronic  osteomyelitis  results  from  the  acute  chiefly  by  the  con- 
tinued irritation  by  the  sequestrum. 

Necrosis  of  bone  is  death  of  the  part,  due  to  the  nutrition 
being  shut  off.  This  is  usually  caused  by  injury  to  the  peri- 
osteum. We  see  necrosis  sometimes  suddenly  develop  from  ex- 
ternal injuries,  such  as  occur  in  the  bars  of  the  mouth  from  the 
bit.  The  bone  dies  and  large  pieces  slough  off — the  sequestra. 
When  the  shaft  of  the  large  bone  dies  this  way,  it  usually  softens 
and  liquifies  and  flows  out  through  a  fistulous  opening.  The 
discharge  is  ichorous.  In  the  meantime  new  bone  is  forming 
under  the  periosteum.  It  is  lacking  in  the  characteristics  of 
normal  bone  but  it  does  very  well. 

The  treatment  for  necrosis  consists  first  in  using  slings  un- 
less the  horse  shows  inclination  to  lie  down.     Soon  as  the  pus 


OF    VKTKRINARV    MEDICINE.  231 

can  be  located,  open  up  and  let  it  escape.  If  practical,  remove 
all  the  dead  bone.  In  necrosis  of  the  bars  of  the  mouth  (the 
lower  jaw,  it  is  not  always  necessary  to  operate  except  where  the 
parts  are  very  sore  and  swollen.  Then  with  a  scalpel  cut  down 
to  the  bone  and  this  will  allow  the  escape  of  the  pus,  if  any,  and 
quicken  the  separation  of  the  part  if  necrosed,  and  if  not,  it  may 
prevent  it.  Always  cut  down  through  the  periosteum ;  then  let 
alone  until  the  pieces  come  out.  Do  not  force  them  out  or  use 
forceps.  After  they  are  removed,  wash  out  with  an  antiseptic 
solution  three  or  four  times  a  day.  The  patients  usually  make  a 
nice  recovery.  If  the  lesion  is  in  the  lower  bars  of  the  mouth, 
when  the  patient  is  getting  well,  use  the  common  jointed  bit  or 
rubber  covered  chain.  If  the  shafts  of  the  long  bones  are  af- 
fected, make  a  large  independent  opening  by  trephining;  remove 
the  sequestrum  and  wash  out  the  cavity  twice  a  day  with  anti- 
septics. 

ATROPHY  OF  BONE. 

Atrophy  of  bone  is  an  interstitial  absorption  of  the  bony 
substance.  This  usually  takes  place  in  the  cancellated  portion 
of  the  bone,  but  it  may  occur  in  the  compact  bone,  which  then 
becomes  softened  and  wastes  away.  It  is  not  an  inflammatory 
process  although  it  may  start  as  such  because  of  some  injury. 
In  this  condition  the  bone  becomes  diminished  in  size  and  weight 
and  if  it  happens  in  the  bicipital  groove,  it  allows  the  patella  to 
become  dislocated  very  easily. 

This  condition  is  incurable,  though  rational  internal  treat- 
ment is  in  order, — such  as  iron,  arsenic,  etc.  The  disease  usually 
occurs  in  old  animals. 

CONSTITUTIONAL  OSTEOPOROSIS. 

Constitutional  osteoporosis,  or  the  big  head,  is  a  very  pe- 
culiar disease  because  it  is  little  understood.  The  pathological 
changes  seem  to  be  identical  with  those  of  localized  osteo- 
porosis. Some  think  that  it  is  rheumatic,  others  that  it  is  due 
to  a  parasite  and  consequently  infectious.    It  is  often  found  in 


2}il  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

breeding  farms  and  affects  large  numbers  of  horses.  The 
horse  seems  to  be  the  only  animal  that  is  affected.  It  is  more 
common  in  driving  horses  than  in  the  running.  It  is  thought 
to  be  due  to  a  fungus  on  the  grass  or  fodder. 

In  this  condition  we  usually  find  the  urine  thick  and  mucil- 
aginous ;  the  horse  tucked  up  in  the  flanks  and  inclined  to  lie 
down  a  good  deal ;  back  is  arched  ;  horse  grows  thin  in  flesh ; 
but  the  appetite  keeps  good.  The  affected  bone  is  probably 
painful  and  often  the  first  sign  is  a  peculiar  lameness,  which  is 
intermitting  and  frequently  locates  across  the  loins.  It  cannot 
always  be  located  and  is  often  mistaken  for  rheumatism.  The 
disease  is  not  confined  to  the  head  alone,  all  the  bones^  are  af- 
fected, in  fact  if  the  bones  of  the  head  become  affected,  the  rest 
of  the  body  is  usually  affected  also  and  the  horse  may  break 
down  all  at  once.  This  disease  is  much  more  common  in  the 
south  than  in  the  north. 

Some  claim  to  get  good  results  by  using  iodide  of  potash  and 
trephining  into  the  enlargement  and  injecting  antiseptics.  This 
treatment  does  not  seem  to  bring  good  results.  Hyposulphite  of 
soda  and  cakium  phosphate  in  equal  parts  three  times  a  day  is 
good.  Give  a  complete  change  of  diet  and  a  change  of  location. 
In  acute  cases  death  may  take  place  in  two  or  three  months. 
In  autopsy  we  find  the  face  bones  so  soft  that  you  can  sometimes 
run  a  probe  through  them.  They  are  red  and  vascular,  like 
granulating  tissue. 

OSTEOMALACIA. 

Osteomalacia  is  an  acquired  disease  of  the  bones  of  unknown 
origin.  It  is  rather  common  in  the  human  and  bovines,  but  not 
so  in  other  animals.  In  the  human  it  usually  affects  adult  indi- 
viduals of  the  female  sex,  though  it  is  often  seen  in  males.  It  is 
thought  to  be  caused  by  an  innutritions  diet,  especially  such  as 
would  occur  among  the  poorer  classes.  Pregnancy,  rheumatism, 
infection,  intoxication,  etc.,  have  been  blamed  for  its  develop- 
ment.    (See  Merillat's,  Vol.  II.) 

The  disease  is  characterized  by  a  soft,  plastic  condition  of 
the  bones,  which  depends  upon  the  replacement  of  the  original 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  233 

calcified  osseous  tissue  with  a  new  uncalcified  osteoid  tissue.  The 
bones  become  subject  to  frequent  fracture  and  increasing  de- 
formity, while  the  patient  becomes  more  and  more  feeble  and  a 
profound  cachexia  comes  on.  Patient  may  die  of  exhaustion, 
but  much  more  commonly  succumbs  to  pneumonia  or  to  some 
other  intercurrent  affection. 

The  bones  usually  retain  their  lamellar  arrangement  and  their 
external  and  internal  construction  are  alike  histologically  un- 
changed, except  that  the  great  mass  of  bone  is  decalcincd  and 
the  altered  bone  appears  homogeneous,  sometimes  fibrous.  The 
decalcification  usually  begins  at  the  periphery  and  extends  in 
toward  the  center.  Some  of  the  lacunar  cells  remain  after  de- 
calcification but  many  die.  As  the  disease  progresses,  the  os- 
teoid substance  melts  away  and  increases  the  spaces  between  the 
columns  of  bony  tissue. 

The  marrow  is  frequently  congested  and  may  be  hemorrha- 
gic or  pigmented,  from  previous  hemorrhages.  The  bones  are 
so  soft  that  they  can  be  easily  broken  in  two.  Frequent  frac- 
tures occur  and  serve  to  deform  the  bone.  The  ordinary  form 
of  the  disease  attacks  the  spinal  column  and  thorax  and  spreads 
to  the  limbs  and  head.  The  most  interesting  and  important 
changes  occur  in  the  pelvis,  which  yields  to  the  pressure  of  the 
spinal  column  and  the  thighs.  It  becomes  wholly  transformed, 
making  the  bearing  of  young  almost  impossible. 

Fragilitis  ossuun  is  a  hardening  of  the  bones  to  the  extent 
of  brittleness  and  usually  occurs  in  old  animals.  It  is  due  to  the 
absorption  of  the  animal  matter  and  inflammation  is  usually  the 
cause.     In  this  condition  fractures  are  very  easy  to  occur. 

RACHITIS. 

Rachitis  or  rickets  is  a  degenerate  softening  of  the  bones 
that  occurs  only  in  the  young.  It  is  due  to  some  disturbance 
that  prevents  the  ossification  of  the  bone.  It  is  really  a  con- 
stitutional disease  and  nutritional  disorder.  The  lesion  is  charr 
acterized  by  deficient  calcification  and  increased  absorption  of 
the  bones,  which  in  consequence  are  permanently  altered  in  size 
and   shape.     All   the   parts   of   the   skeleton   are   affected.     The 


234  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

bones  are  usually  shortened,  thickened,  rarified,  curved,  and 
twisted.  The  rari'ned  condition  is  most  frequently  seen  in  the 
epiphyseal  ends  of  the  long  bones,  which  become  considerably 
enlarged. 

This  disease  is  not  infrequently  congenital,  and  seems  at 
times  to  be  hereditary.  Bad  hygiene,  malnutrition,  and  certain 
inflammatory  diseases  seem  to  be  exciting  causes.  In  the  con- 
genital form  the  causes  mentioned  probably  operate  upon  the 
young  through  the  mother.  The  disease  usually  manifests  itself 
in  the  first  and  second  year  of  life.  In  cases  that  live  beyond 
puberty  the  disease  recovers  but  the  deformities  persist.  Den- 
tition is  irregular  and  delayed.  The  animal,  however,  may  be 
well  up  to  two  to  six  years  and  then  be  affected.  It  is  com- 
mon in  puppies  that  are  fed  on  starchy  food.  Foals,  too,  are 
apt  to  have  it. 

The  first  intimation  of  the  disease  is  a  peculiar  lassitude  and 
the  play  is  not  so  lively;  the  long  bones  of  the  legs  begin  to  bow, 
especially  in  the  front  legs,  the  convexity  being  outward.  The 
femur  is  usually  curved  anteriorly  as  well  as  externally. 

At  the  articular  ends  of  the  bones,  where  the  diaphysis  joins 
the  epiphysis,  instead  of  a  narrow  distinct  white  line,  one  finds 
an  enlargement  consisting  of  porous,  irregularly  formed  bone 
in  which  there  is  a  widely  separated  plexiform  or  fibrillar  ar- 
rangement of  osteoid  substance  deficient  in  lime-salts.  These 
areas  alternate  with  others  of  irregular  ossification.  The  mar- 
row is  much  like  that  found  in  the  fetus.  Next  to  the  growing 
cartilage  of  the  epiphysis  is  a  zone  of  osteoid  tissue  in  which 
the  bony  partitions  inclose  patches  of  cartilage.    • 

The  irregular  growth  and  rarefaction  of  the  bones  give  them 
a  pronounced  predisposition  toward  bending  and  fracture,  es- 
pecially of  the  green-stick  variety,  while  the  continued  pressure 
produced  by  the  weight  of  the  body  results  in  permanent  de- 
formities. 

Treatment. — There  should  be  a  complete  change  of  food. 
In  the  foal,  wean  him  and  feed  on  cow's  milk  liberally,  say  a 
gallon  three  times  a  day,  and  more  as  he  grows  older.  Skim 
milk  even  if  it  is  sour  is  better  than  fresh  milk,  because  it  con- 
tains less  fatty  matter ;  in  addition  give  bone  dust,  oatmeal,  etc.. 


OF    VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  235 

but  leave  out  corn  and  everything  that  tends  to  fat.  In  puppies 
change  the  food ;  give  boiled  meat  with  oatmeal,  make  a  strong 
stew  of  it.  If  the  legs  in  the  foal  do  not  get  strong,  apply 
splints  and  bandages.  Lime  water  is  good  for  rickets.  Cod 
liver  oil  is  good  for  puppies. 

HEALING  OF  BOXE  r REPAIR). 

When  a  bone  breaks,  either  completely  or  incompletely,  there 
results  more  or  less  hemorrhage;  the  surrounding  tissues  are 
torn  and  infiltrated  with  blood ;  a  moderate  degree  of  inflam- 
matory exudation  and  cellular  migration  takes  place,  but  in  the 
absence  of  infection  the  inflammation  subsides  after  a  few  days, 
soon  to  be  followed  by  regeneration.  As  early  as  the  second  day 
the  cells  of  the  periosteum  begin  to  grow  and  proliferate  and 
show  many  karyokinetic  figures.  In  two  or  three  days  a  vascular 
formative  tissue  has  developed  which  is  rapidly  developed  and 
differentiated  into  osteoid  and  chondroid  tissue.  This  formative 
tissue  produced  by  the  peristeum  is  known  as  the  external  callus ; 
that  which  extends  in  between  the  fragments  is  known  as  the 
intermediary  callus.  The  tissue  regenerating  from  the  medulla 
is  called  the  myelogenic  callus. 

The  periosteal  callus  extends  around  the  fragments  like  a 
capsule  for  some  little  distance  on  each  side  of  the  break.  At 
the  end  of  the  'first  week  the  inner  layers  of  the  newly  formed 
tissue  have  become  differentiated  into  osteoid  tissue  and  hyaline 
cartilage  especially  so  in  young  and  in  animals  like  the  dog,  and 
then  calcification  sets  in  and  porous  bone  develops — the  bony 
callus.  During  the  succeeding  two  or  three  weeks  the  amount 
of  bony  callus  constantly  increases. 

The  myelogenic  callus  is  formed  by  the  proliferation  of  the 
osteoblasts;  it  is  not  of  so  much  importance  as  the  periosteal 
callus.  At  about  the  end  of  the  seventh  week  the  periosteal 
callus  is  totally  ossified,  consisting  of  a  porous,  rather  soft,  os- 
seous tissue,  which  gradually  becomes  substituted  by  new  bone 
of  considerable  density  by  means  of  lacunar  resorption  and  the 
formation  of  medullary  spaces  on  the  one  hand  (osteoclasts 
break  down  bone)  and  the  production  of  new  lamellae  or  growth 


236  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

by  apposition  on  the  part  of  the  osteoblasts  on  the  other  hand. 
In  this  way  is  produced  a  more  soHd  dense  bone — the  definitive 
callus. 

When  great  dislocation  of  the  fragments  has  occurred,  it  may 
take  several  months  or  even  years  before  the  reparative  pro- 
cesses are  fully  complete.  In  case  of  great  dislocation  the  me- 
dullary canal  is  usually  not  restored. 

Bones  unite  all  right  if  given  a  chance.  They  are  stronger 
at  the  point  of  fracture  after  healing  than  before.  It  is  a  pop- 
ular idea  that  horse's  bones  will  not  unite  well.  Dogs,  sheep 
and  young  steers  take  care  of  themselves  and  assist  us  but  the 
horse  never  does,  that  is  why  we  have  such  poor  success  in  the 
healing  of  a  horse's  fracture.  When  the  bones  fail  to  keep  in 
position  they  become  intensely  inflamed  and  this  is  kept  up  until 
gangrene  sets  in  and  ends  the  life  of  the  animal. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  NERVOUS  SYSTEM. 

Diseases  of  the  brain  and  nervous  system  are  not  as  com- 
mon in  the  lower  anin:ials  as  in  the  human.  The  lower  animals 
are  less  liable  to  fatal  results  from  shocks,  as  from  fright  or 
operations.  These  diseases  are  divided  into  three  classes — (1) 
cerebral,  when  applied  to  the  brain;  (2)  spinal,  to  the  cord; 
(3)  peripheral,  to  the  nerves. 

On  account  of  the  decussation  of  the  nerves  in  the  medulla, 
and  in  fact  all  along  the  spinal  cord,  injuries  on  one  side  of  the 
brain  produce  paralysis  on  the  other  side  of  the  body.  The  ef- 
fects of  sudden  injuries  to  the  brain  are  very  noticeable,  but 
slowly  encroaching  injuries  are  very  puzzling  in  the  effects  which 
they  produce.  Any  derangement  of  the  nervous  systein  has  a 
tendency  to  produce  either  an  increased  functional  activity  or  a 
depression,  that  is,  hypersesthesia  or  paralysis. 

Cerebr.\l  Congestion.  —  This  disease  is  called  vertigo, 
megrims,  and  sometimes  blind  staggers.  It  is  due  to  a  disturb- 
ance of  the  circulation  resulting  in  a  hypersemic  condition  of  the 
brain.  It  is  more  or  less  sudden  in  its  attacks  and  it  is  usually 
due  to  pressure  on  the  large  veins  of  the  neck  by  ill-fitting  har- 
ness.    It  may  be  due  to  a  plethoric  condition  of  the  animal  and  is 


OF    VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  237 

associated  with  torpidity  of  the  liver  and  indigestion,  which  re- 
sults in  paralysis  of  the  pneumogastric  nerve. 

The  horse  will  often  stop,  shake  his  head  and  let  his  ears 
droop;  the  muscles  of  the  head  and  neck  twitch,  the  eyes  pro- 
trude, and  he  may  become  blind ;  his  nostrils  will  be  dilated  and 
his  breathing  stertorous.  He  rears  and  plunges,  loses  co-ordina- 
tion and  goes  down  in  a  heap.  The  shock  to  the  nervous  sys- 
tem causes  him  to  sweat,  and  while  down  he  will  often  froth  at 
the  mouth. 

While  the  animal  is  down  dash  cold  water  on  his  head  and 
face.  Take  off  his  harness  and  give  him  plenty  of  air.  As  soon 
as  the  fit  is  over  learn  the  causes  of  it  and  remove  them  if  pos- 
sible. If  plethora  is  at  the  bottom  of  it,  lessen  his  feed  and  give 
purgatives.  These  attacks  often  come  from  stomach  and  liver 
troubles.     Bleeding  is  useless. 

Cerebral  Anaemia. — This  is  a  bloodless  condition  of  the 
brain.  There  results  a  loss  of  motor  and  sensory  power  and 
the  mucous  membranes  are  pale.  It  may  be  due  to  rapid 
haemorrhage.  There  will  be  great  nervous  prostration  from 
weakness  and  debility.  The  treatment  should  be  rational ;  treat 
the  general  symptoms  to  supply  the  body  with  nutrition. 

Cerebral  Embolus. — In  this  condition  some  of  the  blood 
vessels  of  the  brain  become  plugged  by  a  clot  and  embolism 
results.  Paralysis  of  all  parts  of  the  brain  supplied  by  these 
occurs.  The  clot  is  usually  formed  by  reason  of  weak  cardiac 
power  or  valvular  insufficiency.  The  embolism  causes  soften- 
ing of  the  brain.  The  symptoms  are  stupor,  weak  mindedness 
and  pale  mucous  membranes. 

Apoplexy. — As  applied  to  the  brain  this  disease  means  cere- 
bral hemorrhage.  It  is  characterized  by  a  sudden  loss  of  both 
motor  and  sensory  power.  The  hemorrhage  may  occur  in  one 
of  three  ways :  first,  in  rupture  of  the  blood  vessels  of  the  brain  ; 
second,  from  the  filling  of  the  ventricles  with  blood;  and  third, 
from  a  hemorrhage  into  the  arachnoid  space.  The  first  and 
third  ways  usually  prevail  in  the  horse. 

The  disease  comes  on  suddenly  always :  the  horse  falls  to  the 
ground,  froths  at  the  mouth  and  the  special  senses  are  sus- 
pended,— he  cannot  hear,  taste,  smell  or  see.    The  mucous  mem- 


23S  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

branes  are  livid  and  the  breathing  more  or  less  stertorous.  If 
the  case  is  severe  death  will  result  in  from  a  few  hours  to 
eight  or  ten  days.  If  not  severe,  the  clot  may  become  absorbed. 
The  horse  seldom  fully  recovers. 

It  is  not  considered  safe  to  bleed  an  animal  in  this  condition. 
Elevate  the  head,  pack  it  in  ice  and  keep  the  rest  of  the  body 
warm  by  clothing  and  friction.  Give  an  enema  and  inhalations 
of  ammonia,  hypodermic  injections  of  alcohol,  atropine,  etc. 
Never  give  medicine  by  the  mouth  in  such  a  case,  because  the 
function  of  deglutition  is  suspended. 

Cerebral  Meningitis. — This  disease  is  inflammation  of  the 
coverings  of  the  brain.  Cerebritis  is  inflammation  of  the  brain 
substance.  It  is  not  possible  to  draw  the  line  between  the  two 
as  in  the  human.  The  condition  exists  in  two  forms,  acute  and 
chronic.  The  meningitis  is  usually  due  to  idiopathic  or  traumatic 
influences.  The  idiopathic  influences  are  exposure,  exhaustion, 
sunstroke,  etc.  The  traumatic  include  wounds,  concussions,  etc., 
from  violence. 

Semciology. — There  is  marked  congestion  of  the  visible  mu- 
cous membranes,  especially  those  of  the  eye.  There  is  muscular 
twitching  and  excitement  of  the  animal ;  the  twitching  sometimes 
amounts  to  spasm  of  the  limb  or  of  two  limbs.  These  spasms 
sometimes  involve  the  whole  body,  producing  cerebral  convul- 
sions. The  period  of  excitement  is  usually  followed  by  one  of 
depression,  and  then  an  abnormal  activity.  In  some  cases  it 
amounts  to  stupor  or  coma ;  but  in  meningitis  this  stupor  period 
is  comparatively  short  and  the  excitement  severe.  There  is 
a  well-marked  constitutional  disturbance  until  the  animal  be- 
comes delirious  and  he  tries  to  climb  over  the  manger.  This 
desire  to  climb  comes  on  during  the  first  twenty- four  hours. 
Convulsions  may  come  on  at  the  same  time  and  throw  him  down, 
but  he  gets  up  and  goes  on  climbing  again.  During  the  stupor 
he  will  hang  his  head  and  seems  almost  inclined  to  fall. 

The  symptoms  of  meningitis  are  more  violent  than  those  of 
cerebritis.  In  cerebritis  there  is  less  fever  and  less  excitement 
and  the  periods  of  stupor  are  more  complete  and  longer  con- 
tinued. In  cerebritis  the  animal  will  stand  a  great  part  of  his 
time  with  his  head  against  the  wall  or  manger;  his  appetite  is 


OF   V^ETERINARV    MEDICINE.  239 

usually  lost,  partly  due  to  fever  and  partly  due  to  the  loss  of 
sense.  After  a  time,  both  in  cerebritis  and  meningitis,  the  ani- 
mal will  lose  his  power  of  co-ordination,  does  down  and  is  un- 
able to  get  up  again ;  he  will  lie  prone  and  keep  his  legs  going. 
Put  your  finger  in  the  eye  or  ear  and  no  resistance  is  offered. 
Death  usually  takes  place  in  two  or  three  days. 

Cerebral  meningitis  runs  a  very  rapid  course  compared  w'th 
the  human,  terminating  in  the  lower  animals  sometimes  as 
quickly  as  the  end  of  the  first  day.  The  differential  diagnosis 
between  it  and  blind  staggers  is  quite  simple :  in  blind  staggers 
there  is  no  fever,  no  congestion  of  the  mucous  membranes  and 
the  eyes  are  not  bloodshot,  while  the  very  opposite  occurs  in 
mad  staggers  or  cerebral  meningitis,  the  bloodshot  eyes  being 
a  special  characteristic.  Blind  staggers  usually  yields  to  treat- 
ment while  mad  staggers  does  not. 

Treatment. — Purge  the  animal  with  aloes  and  give  diuretics 
— potassium  salts.  Allay  the  nervous  irritability  with  gelsemium, 
aconite,  belladonna  or  acetanilid.  Belladonna  is  particularly  in- 
dicated on  account  of  its  contracting  the  arterioles.  An  ice 
poultice  to  the  head  is  good,  but  the  horse  is  dangerous  to 
handle  so  do  not  get  caught  in  the  stall  in  trying  to  apply  the  ice. 
It  is  very  difficult  to  do  much  for  the  horse  in  this  disease  and 
recoveries  are  rare.  In  case  of  recovery  give  the  animal  three  or 
four  months'  rest  at  pasture. 

It  is  difficult  to  diagnose  this  disease  with  any  degree  of  cer- 
tainty. At  autopsy  the  meninges  are  thickened,  with  adhesions 
here  and  there.  You  will  find  coagulated  lymph  in  the  ventricles, 
also  in  the  sulci  and  other  parts  of  the  brain. 

Cerebral  softening. — In  this  disease  there  is  a  softening  of 
the  brain  substance,  which  is  altered  in  color.  It  is  sometimes 
quite  liquid  and  is  softened  always,  especially  in  spots.  It  looks 
like  abscesses  and  the  color  varies  from  dirty  pink  to  white. 
Many  cases  have  been  seen  where  the  cerebrum  looked  like  pus. 
Cerebral  softening  is  known  among  horsemen  as  a  "dummy." 
Such  cases  are  quite  common.  It  is  hard  to  say  what  is  the 
cause,  but  we  think  that  the  condition  comes  from  acute  or  sub- 
acute attacks  of  cerebritis  or  from  interrupted  circulation  in  the 
brain.     In  the  human  it  is  caused  by  long-continued  use  of  alco- 


240  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

holic  drinks.     The  disease  is  in  reality  nothing  more  than  cere- 
bral degeneration. 

The  symptoms  are  very  marked  but  require  close  observation 
to  detect  them.  The  horse  is  more  or  less  stupid  and  seems  to 
lack  ambition  and  often  staggers.  IMild  excitement  will  arouse 
him  for  a  time  and  you  must  look  out  for  this  in  examining  a 
horse  for  soundness.  The  animal  looks  stupid,  will  stub  his  toes 
after  being  backed  out  of  the  stall.  His  ears  may  be  moving  back 
and  forth  and  his  face  lacks  expression.  To  tell  a  dummy  just 
observe  him  as  he  backs  out  of  a  stall  or.  turns  around  in  it. 
He  lacks  complete  power  of  co-ordination.  Staggers  and  wab- 
bles a  little.  Cross  his  feet  and  they  will  stay  there.  Put  your 
finger  in  his  ear  and  he  will  not  resist.  The  treatment  is  useless. 
The  real  ''dummy,"  is  due  to  cerebral  softening  or  chronic  dropsy 
of  the  lateral  ventricles. 

Myelitis. — This  disease  is  inflammation  of  the  spinal  cord. 
The  meninges  are  usually  involved.  The  causes  are  violence  in 
the  form  of  external  injuries,  disease  of  the  bones  of  the  verte- 
bra, and  exposure  to  dampness  and  extremes  of  temperature. 
It  often  comes  on  without  any  appreciable  cause. 

Scmciology. — When  the  meninges  of  the  cord  are  first  af- 
fected, the  first  symptoms  will  be  tonic  spasms  of  the  limbs, 
usually  the  hind  ones.  This  is  probably  because  it  affects  the 
loins  first  and  then  extends  forward.  The  spasms  are  often  so 
severe  as  to  jerk  the  horse  off  his  feet  and  throw  him  down. 
He  stamps  spasmodically  and  involuntarily.  If  the  cord  itself 
is  first  affected  there  is  an  absence  of  these  spasms  and  instead 
there  is  a  loss  of  motor  power.  You  will  notice  that  the  hocks 
dip  into  each  other,  the  toes  will  turn  out,  the  gait  will  be  wab- 
bly,— no  spasm  and  no  delirium.  The  motor  paralysis  increases 
so  that  finally  the  animal  cannot  move  without  falling;  if  he 
does  not  move,  he  will  stand  braced  from  twenty-four  to  forty- 
eight  hours.  While  lying  his  expression  is  haggard  and  he  looks 
in  great  distress. 

In  chronic  spinal  meningitis  the  animal  is  very  excitable,  the 
least  bit  of  excitement  affecting  him.  He  will  also  manifest 
nervous  twitching. 

Paresis. — This  disease   is  ordinarily  spoken  of  as  paralysis 


OF    VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  241 

or  it  may  be  called  palsy.  It  is  a  loss  of  the  motor  power  as 
concerning  the  voluntary  movements  of  the  body.  It  is  a  symp- 
tom of  other  diseases.  Paraplegia  is  the  most  common  form  of 
the  paralysis, — meaning  paralysis  of  the  body  transversely. 

The  causes  are  centric  or  reflex.  Centric  is  due  to  external 
violence,  perhaps  severing  of  the  cord,  or  anything  that  will  pro- 
duce pressure  on  the  cord,  as  fracture  of  the  vertebrae.  Reflex 
causes  must  be  referred  to  the  periphery  of  the  body,  from 
whence  a  disturbance  is  carried  to  the  nerve  centers.  We  see  this 
in  canine  distemper  and  in  metritis  in  all  females.  The  reflex 
form  of  paraplegia  resists  treatment  very  much.  It  is  likely  to 
occur  from  indigestion ;  impaction  of  the  rumen  in  cattle  may 
cause  it. 

The  symptoms  show  a  partial  or  complete  loss  of  power, 
^rst  the  motor.  If  the  cause  is  reflex,  there  is  a  loss  also  of 
the  sensory.  Constipation  is  usually  present ;  the  muscles  around 
the  neck  of  the  bladder  are  relaxed  and  the  urine  dribbles  away. 
Prick  the  hind  parts  of  the  horse  and  he  will  not  show  any  pain. 
If  this  is  done  in  the  dog  he  will  cry  out.  This  shows  that  the 
motor  nerves  are  affected  before  the  sensory. 

Hemiplegia  is  paralysis  of  one  whole  side  of  the  body.  The 
cerebrum  is  usually  affected.  A  ruptured  blood  vessel  may  be 
the  cause.  Recovery  is  rare  and  also  the  disease  i<-self  in  the 
lower  animals. 

Treatment. — Remove  the  cause.  If  impaction  is  at  the  bot- 
tom, then  give  such  drugs  that  will  loosen  the  bowels.  Dogs 
usually  recover  from  paraplegia.  Bitches  usually  die.  Give 
the  animal  rectal  injections.  Give  diuretics  and  stimulants  such 
as  potassium,  iodide  and  nux  vomica. 

Hydrocephalus. — This  is  rare,  especially  in  the  adult.  It  is 
seen  in  the  fetus  and  renders  parturition  diflicult.  The  symp- 
toms are  very  similar  to  those  of  cerebritis,  but  more  mild  in 
character.  The  animal  is  stupid,  keeps  getting  more  so  until 
coma  sets  in  and  he  dies.  The  effusion  is  usually  in  the  sub- 
arachnoid space  or  in  the  lateral  ventricles. 

In  the  early  stages  of  hydrocephalus  there  is  fever  and  a  lit- 
tle irritability.     The  stupor  and  insensibility  keep  on  increasing 


242  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

with  occasional  epileptic  fits  until  the  disease  terminates  in  coma, 
then  convulsions  and  death. 

Pathology. — In  autopsy,  on  opening  the  cranial  cavity  we  no- 
tice that  the  brain  is  altered  in  form ;  the  fissure  between  the 
hemispheres  is  almost  obliterated.  In  cutting  down  through  the 
corpus  callosum  you  find  water  in  the  ventricles,  varying  in 
quantity  from  1  to  8  ounces.  Upon  emptying  the  water  out  we 
find  the  septum  lucidum  broken  down,  making  one  cavity.  The 
arachnoid  is  thickened  and  opaque,  particularly  over  the  cere- 
bellum and  it  is  often  studded  with  spots  of  inflammation.  The 
fluid  in  the  ventricles  is  usually  pale,  thin  and  watery,  but  some- 
times quite  turbid.  Effusion  may  take  place  into  the  lateral  ven- 
tricles, or  into  the  subarachnoid  space.  A  horse  so  affected  in 
the  chronic  form  is  a  dummy. 

The  treatment  is  not  very  satisfactory.  In  mild  cases  the 
disease  may  give  way  to  iodide  of  potash,  iron,  vegetable  bitters, 
and  mild  counter-irritants  externally.  Keep  the  animal  quiet; 
give  soft  diet  and  rest. 

TABES  DORSALIS. 

Tabes  dorsalis  or  locomotor  ataxia,  is  the  same  as  sclerosis 
of  the  cord.  It  is  sometimes  called  "crick  back."  In  the  do- 
mestic animals  the  disease  affects  the  white  matter  of  the  cord. 
In  the  human  the  gray  matter  may  also  become  involved.  This 
condition  is  a  contraction  and  hardening  of  the  columns  of  the 
cord.  In  the  horse  it  is  usually  the  supralateral  columns.  The 
inferolateral  may  also  become  affected.  The  loins  are  about  the 
first  to  become  affected,  but  the  disease  may  start  in  the  cere- 
bellum and  travel  down  the  cord.  The  motor  columns  are 
affected  more  than  the  sensory. 

Etiology. — ^The  disease  usually  develops  as  the  result  of  ex- 
posure to  cold  and  storms,  especially  if  the  horse  is  not  in 
good  condition.  It  may  occur  in  old  horses  and  debilitated 
ones.  The  minute  vessels  of  the  cord  are  diminished  in  size  and 
the  gray  matter  can  be  easily  ruptured.  In  cases  of  syphilis  in 
horses  this  condition  is  always  present. 

Semeiology. — Tabes    dorsalis   comes   on   slowly.     We   notice 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  243 

first  an  unsteady  gait  behind,  especially  if  the  animal  turns 
quickly.  If  the  disease  originates  in  the  cord,  then  the  lesion 
seems  to  be  confined  to  the  hind  limbs ;  if  in  the  cerebellum,  then 
the  animal  is  wabbly  both  before  and  behind.  The  eyes  squint, 
which  is  particular  evidence  of  sclerosis  of  the  cerebellum.  If 
the  lesion  is  in  the  cerebellum  the  animal  will  walk  in  a  circle 
and  the  more  severe  the  lesion,  the  smaller  the  circle  he  will 
walk  in.  The  paralysis  increases  continually  and  usually  the 
symptoms  are  increased  also.  In  an  acute  case  the  muscles  of 
the  hind  parts  waste.  The  inclination  to  throw  the  weight  upon 
the  fore  limbs  on  account  of  the  increasing  paralysis  causes  the 
muscles  of  the  hind  limbs  to  be  inactive  and  therefore  to  waste 
away. 

In  the  horse  we  have  no  evidence  of  acute  pain ;  in  the  hu- 
man it  is  said  that  there  are  pains  in  the  legs  at  times. 

Treatment. — There  is  no  treatment  that  will  cure  the  dis- 
ease and  the  prognosis  must  therefore  be  unfavorable.  If  you 
give  strychnine,  electricity,  bromine,  iodine,  iron  or  arsenic  and 
Hberal  diet  with  gentle  exercise,  this  course  of  treatment  will 
prolong  life. 

TETANUS. 

Tetanus  is  a  continuous  tonic  spasm  of  the  muscles  of  the 
body.  Usually  the  voluntary  muscles  are  the  ones  involved,  but 
the  involuntary  muscles  may  be  involved  also. 

Etiology. — The  bacillus  Nicolaier  is  the  specific  cause.  This 
germ  was  discovered  in  1884.  Nicolaier  found  the  germ  in  the 
earth  and  introduced  it  into  animals  and  produced  tetanus.  The 
germ  i«  drumstick-shaped  carrying  its  spore  in  the  big  end.  It 
lives  in  the  dirt  everywhere  and  it  is  anaerobic.  For  this  reason 
the  disease  will  result  from  small  wounds  which  easily  close  up 
more  readily  than  large  wounds  that  are  open  and  exposed  to 
the  air.  The  germ  will  not  grow  where  there  is  free  access  of 
oxygen.  More  than  one-half  of  the  tetanus  cases  come  from 
small  nail  pricks  that  hardly  lame  the  animal.  All  animals  aVe 
subject  to  it  but  the  horse,  perhaps  more  than  others.  Dift'erent 
parts  of  the  body  are  affected.    When  the  whole  body  is  affected 


244  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

it  is  called  Orthotonos.  When  the  masseter  muscles  are  af- 
fected it  is  called  Trismus.  Both  forms  are  common.  The 
tetanus  germ  must  be  associated  with  other  germs  in  order  to 
set  up  its  infection  ;  it  cannot  work  alone. 

Semeiology. — The   symptoms   are   clearly   diagnostic   usually. 
The  'first  thing  you  will  notice  is  a  contraction  of  the  masseter 
muscles.     The  muscles  will  be  drawn  around  the  mouth.     The 
animal  seems  to  have  difficulty  in  eating  and  he  secretes  an  enor- 
mous amount  of  saliva.   After  a  few  hours  he  becomes  excitable, 
the  nose  is  extended,  the  facial  muscles  twitch  and  any  little  dis- 
turbance excites  the  animal.     The  eyeballs  are  retracted  in  the 
orbit  and  look  small.     The  membrana  nictitans  is  hable  to  be 
raised  constantly  over  more  or  less  of  the  eyeball,  and  when  the 
head  is  raised  will  cover  it.     An  intelligent  horseman  will  no- 
tice  the   beginning   stiffness    of   gait.     Trismus    is   usually    well 
marked;  after  twenty- four  or  forty-eight  hours  the  development 
seems  to  be  quite  gradual,  other  times  violent,  in  which  case  the 
animal  will  soon  die.     The  spasms  which  Vvcre  at  first  in  the 
masseters  finally  affect  the  whole  body.     The  dorsal,  cervical  and 
gluteal  muscles  are  the  most  affected.     The  tail  is  elevated  and 
it  maintains  that  position  and  trembles.     The  respiration  is  ac- 
celerated and  the  nostrils  are  dilated ;  the  ears  stand  like  sticks, 
the  limbs  are  stiff  and  are  straddled ;  locomotion  is  very  difficult ; 
flanks  are  tucked  up ;  ribs  are  tightly  drawn,  due  to  contraction 
of  the  intercostals.       As  the  pain  becomes  intense,  the  animal 
sweats  profusely  and  is  very  excitable.     The  spasms  come  on 
from  time  to  time  and  between  times  the  muscles  relax  a  little, 
but  not  enough  to  cause  much  hope.     The  action  is  spasmodic. 
During  a  spasm  the  gluteal  muscles  often  shoot  out  behind  like 
a  eoose  in  flig^ht,  and  the  action  throws  the  animal  to  the  floor 
and  he  cannot  rise  until  the  muscles  relax.     An  animal  usually 
does  not  rise  after  going  down  on  account  of  the  stiffness  of  the 
legs ;  he  is  unable  to  get  them  under  him  enough  to  get  up.     The 
recumbent  position   and  being  unable  to   rise   increase  the    fre- 
quency   and    severity    of    the    spasms.     The  spasms  are  easily 
brought  on, — a  rat  or  loud  talking  or  the  presence  of  a  stranger 
may  be  the  cause.    The  saliva  is  ropy,  the  pulse  grows  hard ;  the 


J  OF   YETERINARY    MEDICINE.  245 

appetite  remains  good  but  the  bowels  are  inactive.  The  peristal- 
tic action  is  interfered  with. 

As  a  rule  the  horse  persistently  stands  and  if  he  can  get  up 
after  being  down,  it  is  a  favorable  sign.  Death  comes  from  two 
causes, — syncope  and  asphyxia.  The  muscles  of  the  throat  con- 
tract and  cause  the  asphyxia.  Death  occurs  in  from  two  to 
ten  days. 

Prognosis. — When  a  spasm  throws  a  horse  down,  there  is 
little  hope.  If  the  animal  can  eat  and  the  trismus  is  slight  and 
the  respiration  is  not  affected  then  the  results  may  not  be  so 
bad.  We  find  by  experience  that  the  mortality  runs  from  75% 
to  80%.  If  the  animal  lives  thirteen  days  he  has  50%  of  the 
chances  to  recover.  If  he  lives  eighteen  days  he  has  75%  in  his 
favor.  If  he  lives  twenty-one  days  he  has  95%  in  his  favor. 
Dr.  Baker  says  one  of  bis  cases  died  on  the  twenty-eighth  day. 

Treatment. — There  is  no  specific  treatment.  Give  a  rational 
course  toward  allaying  the  symptoms,  bearing  in  mind  that  if 
the  animal  lives  two  weeks  he  will  probably  recover.  Pay  at- 
tention to  the  hygiene.  If  it  is  cold,  clothe  him  warmly;  if  it  is 
hot,  keep  the  animal  cool.  Keep  away  exciting  conditions.  Give 
linseed  gruel — about  two  gallons,  and  keep  this  before  him  all 
the  time.  Give  him  nothing  else  to  drink.  Let  the  horse  have 
as  much  of  the  gruel  as  he  will  drink.  The  gruel  tends  to  loosen 
the  bowels.  Purgatives  are  useless.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  put  the 
horse  in  a  sling.  Bear  in  mind  that  he  cannot  recover  on  his 
side. 

Give  drugs  that  will  quiet  the  nervous  system,  such  as  bel- 
ladonna, prussic  acid,  morphine,  ether,  chloral  hydrate,  lobelia 
and  gelsemium.  If  the  tetanus  antitoxin  can  be  given  in  time  it 
will  cure  the  disease,  but  it  must  be  given  early.  Some  claim 
that  this  is  useless,  but  it  has  not  proven  so  in  my  experience. 
Give  about  40  cc  for  the  first  day  than  20  cc  the  second ;  the 
third  day  the  same.  If  on  the  fourth  day  the  animal  is  hold- 
ing his  own,  then  give  another  dose  of  20  cc.  Keep  this  up  for 
ten  days.  If  however  the  animal  begins  to  grow  worse,  then 
drop  the  serum  treatment. 


246  THEORY  AND   PRACTICE 

The  following  Is  a  good  prescription : 

Gelsemium  Fl.  Ex 1  ounce 

Lobelia,  Fl.  Ex 1  ounce 

Belladonna  Fl.  Ex 1  ounce 

Aqua  ad  qs 8  ounces 

Give  one  ounce  every  3-4  hours. 

If  possible  give  per  mouth;  but  if  there  is  much  trismus, 
dilute  it  and  give  per  rectum.  If  administered  this  way  let  it 
be  about  blood  heat.  A  hypodermic  of  4  grains  of  morphine 
three  or  four  times  a  day  is  good  with  this  prescription. 

The  post  mortem  shows  very  few  lesions. 

CHOREA. 

Chorea  is  convulsions  of  the  voluntary  muscles  and  it  is  most 
common  in  dogs.  In  the  dog  it  occurs  oftener  in  the  legs  while 
in  the  horse  it  is  seen  most  often  in  the  neck  and  hind  quarters. 
In  the  horse  it  seems  to  arise  as  an  original  lesion  while  in  the 
dog  and  in  the  human  it  usually  follows  some  other  disease.  In 
the  horse  it  may  come  on  suddenly  from  indigestion,  particularly 
that  which  arises  from  over-feeding.  In  dogs  and  children  it 
may  occur  from  worms  in  the  intestines.  In  all  these  cases  there 
is  an  increased  irritability  of  the  nerves.  In  the  dog  it  is  often 
seen  in  a  fatal  form  as  a  complication  in  distemper. 

Scniciology. — The  disease  comes  on  suddenly,  especially  In  a 
case  of  distemper  in  the  dog.  The  disease  often  attacks  a  fore- 
leg which  will  be  lame  for  a  day  or  two  before  any  jerking  be- 
gins. If  you  make  the  animal  step  on  the  affected  leg  by  taking 
the  other  up,  he  will  go  down  and  when  there  is  jerking  In  It  he 
cannot  bear  any  weight  upon  it  at  all.  The  condition  rapidly 
spreads  to  the  whole  body  and  the  animal  finally  dies  from  ex- 
haustion. During  these  attacks  the  dog  will  whine,  particularly 
if  alone.  There  probably  is  not  much  acute  pain,  only  general 
distress.  The  jerking  may  be  continuous  night  and  day.  Event- 
ually the  animal  becomes  emaciated,  especially  the  dog. 

Some  think  that  the  disease  Is  transmissible,  so  much  so  that 
animals  thus  affected  are  condemned  for  breeding  purposes.  At 
any  rate  the  offspring  of  choreic  stallions  are  liable  to  have  the 
disease.     Horsemen  call  it  sjiivers.     In  the  stall  the  horse  will 


>_L7 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  24 

show  his  trouble  by  putting  his  leg  out  to  one  side  in  a  peculiar 
manner  when  stepping  over.  In  backing  out  of  the  stall,  he  may 
take  a  few  steps  all  right  and  then  be  unable  to  go  further.  The 
tail  may  shiver  as  well  as  other  parts.  In  severe  cases  in  horses 
spasms  severe  enough  to  throw  them  to  the  floor  come  on  occa- 
sionally. Some  horses  with  this  disease  are  unable  to  back  at 
all,  but  can  go  ahead.  Chorea  is  liable  to  become  chronic  and 
all  chronic  cases  of  this  disease  are  without  exception  incurable. 

There  is  no  special  lesion  revealed  by  the  post  mortem,  ex- 
cept that  in  long-standing  cases  we  find  thickening  of  the  arach- 
noid, effusion  into  the  arachnoid  space  and  hardening  of  the 
outer  layer  of  the  cord.  In  acute  cases  in  the  dog  the  medulla 
show  softening. 

Treatment. — Chorea  is  very  unsatisfactory  to  treat.  In  severe 
cases  it  is  incurable.  Constitutional  tonic  treatment  is  about  all 
that  can  be  done  for  the  animal.  Give  a  liberal  diet,  correct  the 
hygiene  and  avoid  fatigue.  For  drugs  give  iron,  zinc,  copper  and 
in  some  cases  small  doses  of  strychnine.  You  can  combine  with 
these  cinchona  and  gentian.  In  case  of  whining  dogs  you  can 
relieve  the  distress  by  giving  valerian  fluid  extract  with  a  min- 
eral tonic. 

Give  Fowler's  solution  in  gradually  increasing  doses  till  the 
maximum  dose  is  reached,  then  reduce  the  dose  gradually  to  the 
minimum,  then  up  again,  and  so  on  for  two  to  four  weeks. 
Nitrate  of  silver  in  bread  pills  is  very  good;  give  for  a  week 
and  alternate  with  sulphate  of  copper.     Recoveries  are  rare. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  REPRODUCTIVE  SYSTEM. 

The  diseases  of  the  reproductive  system  are  not  so  common 
in  the  lower  animals  as  in  the  human.  There  are  only  two  speci- 
fic diseases,  the  malignant  and  simple  pox. 

SIMPLE  POX. 

In  its  nature  simply  pox  is  a  phlyctenoid  eruption.  The 
eruptions  occur  on  the  vulva  and  extend  into  the  vagina.  It  is 
never  seen  in  the  sheep,  pig  or  dog.     It  is  common  in  the  human 


248  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

and  in  the  mare.  The  eruption  is  a  simple  blister  called  a 
phlyctena.  This  occurs  in  the  male  sometimes  on  the  body  of 
the  penis.  The  period  of  inoculation  is  from  24  hours  to  3  days. 
The  lips  of  the  vulva  swell  as  large  as  the  wrist.  In  the  stallion 
the  sheath  swells.  The  disease  is  transmissible  from  one  animal 
to  another  by  coition.  No  special  constitutional  disturbance  is 
produced.  The  disease  is  self-limiting  and  if  copulation  ceases 
recovery  will  take  place  in  5  to  10  days. 

Treatment. — Give  cool  laxatives  and  mild  stimulants.  For  a 
local  application  use  sulphate  of  zinc  (5  grains)  to  the  ounce  of 
water.  Bathe  the  parts  three  times  a  day.  This  disease  is  also 
known  as  coital  exanthema. 

MALIGNANT  POX. 

Malignant  pox  is  known  as  dourine  or  equine  syphilis.  The 
disease  was  brought  to  this  country  from  France.  In  1817  it  was 
known  in  Prussia;  in  1821  in  Hungary;  in  1836  in  Italy.  It  has 
never  been  known  in  Belgium  or  England.  The  special  pathology 
of  this  disease  was  gotten  from  Tanhoffer. 

Etiology. — The  trypanosoma  equiperdum  is  the  specific  para- 
site causing  the  disease.  It  is  a  single-celled  animal  parasite. 
This  parasite  was  discovered  in  South  Africa  in  connection  with 
the  tsetse  fly  disease  and  sleeping  sickness.  The  lesions  resemble 
syphilis  in  the  human,  but  the  two  are  different.  Syphilis  is 
transmissible  from  parent  to  off-spring  in  the  human  but  dourine 
is  not  in  the  horse.  A  syphilitic  stallion  cannot  impregnate  a 
mare.  If  a  syphiHtic  mare  should  conceive  she  will  abort  or 
else  the  foal  will  be  born  dead. 

Semeiology. — The  elevated  plaques  on  the  body  and  pustules 
on  the  penis  and  vulva  are  the  first  noticeable  indications  of  the 
disease.  These  ulcerate.  They  may  occur  on  the  glans  penis 
and  are  accompanied  by  the  swelling  of  the  sheath.  In  the  mare 
the  vulva  swells,  and  turns  out,  exposing  the  clitoris  to  view. 
The  appetite  is  poor  and  the  animal  becomes  lazy.  If  the  disease 
occurs  in  an  acute  form,  it  will  kill ;  if  it  is  chronic,  in  the  course 
of  a  month  or  so  the  animal  begins  to  be  wabbly  in  his  hind  parts. 
Sometimes  the  ulcers  heal  and  are  replaced  by  others.     After  a 


OF    VETERINAKV     MEDICINE.  249 

month  or  so  depigmentation  takes  place  in  the  skin, — on  the  in- 
side of  the  thighs,  scrotum,  vulva,  and  elbow.  The  depigmented 
patches  are  about  the  size  of  a  quarter  to  the  size  of  a  man's  hand 
and  turn  white.  The  depigmentation  is  a  progressive  process. 
The  hair  gets  shabby  and  the  animal  wabbles  more  and  more. 
As  weakness  develops  the  legs  swell  and  in  12  to  16  weeks  a 
profuse  muco-purulent  discharge  takes  place  from  the  nose.  The 
scrotum  and  testicles  may  be  very  large. 

In  the  mare  the  mammary  glands  swell  and  the  clitoris  and 
mucous  tissue  are  protruded.  The  mucous  membrane  of  the 
clitoris  is  of  yellowish  color.     The  subacute  runs  into  the  chronic. 

Although  some  animals  appear  to  recover  they  should  be  re- 
tired from  breeding,  because  it  always  revives  the  disease. 

The  only  peculiar  morbid  anatomy  is  in  the  spinal  cord,  the 
locomotor  ataxia  is  the  same  as  that  of  other  diseases. 

Treatment. — Dourine  is  a  contagious  disease ;  therefore  de- 
stroy all  the  animals  that  are  affected.  If  necessary  quarantine 
them.  The  old  quarantine  laws  allowed  the  animals  to  go  back 
into  the  stud  after  three  years,  but  it  was  found  that  they  gained 
no  results,  for  stud  work  revived  the  disease. 

URETHRITIS. 

In  stallions  this  condition  comes  always  from  serving  mares 
that  are  affected  with  leucorrhoea.  It  is  characterized  by  pus, 
but  no  germ  has  been  isolated  as  has  been  done  in  the  human. 

Micturition  is  painful. 

Retire  the  animal  for  a  few  days.  Give  a  purgative  and  saw 
palmetto.  Use  the  zinc  sulphate  solution  two  grains  to  an  ounce 
of  water  as  an  injection  twice  a  day. 

Bull  Burnt  is  similar  to  urethritis  but  it  affects  the  covering 
of  the  penis  rather  than  the  uretha.  It  is  usually  the  result  of 
too  frequent  copulation.  Inject  into  the  sheath  a  solution  of  ace- 
tate of  lead — half  an  ounce  to  the  pint  of  water.  Manipulate 
the  part  and  repeat  night  and  morning. 

Burnt  Dog  is  a  foulness  of  the  sheath  from  the  accumula- 
tion of  natural  secretion  in  the  sheath,  which  produces  a  catarrhal 
discharge.     Use  the  same  treatment  as  for  the  preceding. 


250  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

PHIMOSIS. 

Phimosis  is  the  inabiHty  of  the  animal  to  extend  the  penis. 
This  may  be  due  to  congenital  malformation.  It  may  be  due  to 
ulcer  or  to  some  other  interference,  as  edema  of  the  sheath. 

This  condition  can  be  recognized  by  the  foulness  of  the 
sheath  in  which  the  animal  urinates. 

Treatment. — In  congenital  cases  cast  the  animal  if  necessary 
and  insert  a  probe-pointed  bistoury  and  cut  down  the  prepuse 
about  half  an  inch  to  one  inch.  Bring  the  organ  down  and  wash 
off  the  parts.  The  sheath  should  be  cleaned  out  night  and 
miOrning  until  the  wound  has  begun  to  granulate.  Then  use  the 
white  solution. 

Horses  may  get  the  notion  that  they  cannot  let  the  penis 
down  and  consequently  urinate  in  the  sheath.  Put  a  twitch  on 
the  animal  and  bring  the  penis  down  once  a  day  for  three  or 
four  days. 

PARAPHIMOSIS. 

Paraphimosis  is  the  inability  on  the  part  of  an  animal  to  re- 
tract the  penis.  There  may  be  a  swelling  of  the  sheath  and  the 
penis  itself  may  be  swollen.  Following  castration  we  find  a  typi- 
cal example  of  this  disease,  probably  on  account  of  the  swelling 
of  the  penis  and  sheath.  The  penis  swells  mostly  on  the  dorsal 
side  and  the  covering  becomes  tense  and  glistening.  Such  a 
severe  case  is  usually  due  to  local  irritation.  Paralysis  of  the 
penis  may  be  the  cause.  In  the  dog  sometimes  following  copula- 
tion the  erection  cannot  subside  and  the  organ  becomes  gangren- 
ous in  the  course  of  three  or  four  days. 

Treatment. — If  the  condition  comes  from  castration,  you  will 
have  to  reduce  the  swelling.  Give  diuretics  internally  and  plenty 
of  exercise  and  fresh  water.  If  it  comes  from  injury  and  in- 
flammation has  set  in,  put  on  ice  pack  tight  upon  the  horse's 
body  near  the  penis.  Keep  this  up  until  the  swelling  goes  down. 
Give  diuretics  and  laxatives.  Sometimes  we  find  that  the  penis 
is  cold  and  cyanotic;  scarify  it  from  six  to  a  dozen  cuts  and 
foment  it  with  tepid  water.     This  will  produce  a  dilation  of  the 


OF    VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  251 

vessels  and  consequent  hemorrhage.  In  case  of  paralysis  try  the 
cold  water  treatment  by  throwing  very  cold  water  upon  the  re- 
tractor muscles.  Do  this  twice  a  day.  The  electric  battery  can 
be  applied  here  and  strychnine  internally.  After  putting  the 
penis  in  place,  then  put  a  bandage  around  the  body  to  hold  the 
wet  packs  in  place.  Keep  the  penis  suspended  tightly  up  against 
the  belly  with  a  broad  bandage  passed  around  the  horse's  body. 
In  the  dog  you  will  find  that  the  penis  is  purple  and  con- 
gested. Scarify  it  and  bathe  the  parts  with  water.  If  it  cannot 
be  replaced  in  the  sheath  cut  down  the  prepuce  a  little.  If 
you  cannot  do  better,  amputate. 

DROPSY  OF  THE  OVARIES. 

Dropsy  of  the  ovaries  follows  congestion  and  large  cysts 
sometimes  result.  The  condition  is  common  in  old  cows  and  in 
tlie  human,  but  not  in  the  other  animals.  When  a  chronic  con- 
gestion occurs  as  in  this  condition,  the  animal  is  always  in  heat. 
But  it  is  an  unnatural  condition,  and  the  animal  will  not  breed. 
Such  animals  seem  to  change  their  form  in  time  and  become 
more  masculine  in  looks.  They  do  not  make  good  breeders  or 
good  feeders  and  the  best  thing  is  to  spay  them.  The  cystic 
ovary  can  be  crushed  and  the  fluid  allowed  to  escape  into  the 
abdominal  cavity. 

HYDROMETRA. 

Hydrometra  is  dropsy  of  the  womb.  The  mixture  that  fills 
the  womb  is  a  mixture  of  serum  and  pus.  It  is  the  result  of 
long-continued  inflammation.  It  may  follow  parturition  and  it 
may  occur  without  any  assignable  cause. 

If  you  are  sure  of  your  diagnosis  open  the  os  uteri  with 
the  hand  and  empty  the  womb.  Wash  out  with  boracic  acid,  or 
dilute  coal  tar  emulsion.  After  a  week  or  two,  change  to  sul- 
phate of  zinc.     Give  a  tonic  of  iron  and  alcohol. 


252  •  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

NYMPHOMANIA. 

This  is  a  condition  where  the  mare  is  always  in  heat.  The 
cHtoris  is  in  a  state  of  chronic  congestion.  Excess  of  passion  in 
the  male  is  called  satyriasis,  but  the  disease  is  more  common  in 
the  human  than  among  the  lower  animals.  Females  In  this  con- 
dition are  in  heat  all  the  time,  but  as  a  rule  they  do  not  breed. 
The  disease  is  more  common  in  the  cow  than  in  other  females 
and  it  is  due  to  luxurious  living.  Sometimes  it  may  be  caused 
by  cancer  of  the  clitoris  and  in  such  cases  it  should  be  ampu- 
tated. .  Males  should  be  put  to  harder  work  and  the  hygiene  at- 
tended to.     Females  should  be  spayed. 

HYSTERIA. 

Hysteria  is  an  excessive  nervous  condition  seen  in  females 
only.  The  whole  body  is  in  a  hyperaesthetic  condition.  It  usu- 
ally comes  on  with  the  period  of  oestrum.  The  genital  organs 
are  congested  and  in  the  attacks  that  follow  the  symptoms  are 
similar  to  those  of  tetanus.  The  spasms  may  throw  the  animal 
ofif  her  feet  and  are  manifested  by  kicking,  biting,  etc.  The  tem- 
perature runs  high,  sometimes  to  112°  F.  Try  bleeding  the  ani- 
mal. If  this  does  not  work  give  gelsemium  and  bromide  of 
potash.     Give  a  purgative  and  keep  the  animal  quiet. 

LEUCORRHOEA. 

Leucorrhoea,  is  a  muco-purulent  discharge  from  the  vagina 
and  uterus.  The  discharge  is  whitish  in  color  and  in  most  cases 
it  is  caused  by  a  retained  placenta.  The  mare  is  usually  un- 
thrifty, becomes  thin  in  flesh,  has  a  staring  coat  and  a  more  or 
less  purulent  discharge.  The  trouble  may  run  on  for  years  if 
not  arrested. 

Wash  out  the  uterus  with  half  of  one  per  cent  of  liquor 
cresolis  compositus  U.  S.  P.  once  a  day  for  a  week,  then  twdce 
a  week  for  a  week  or  two.  If  ulceration  is  present  treat  the 
sore  places  with  pure  boracic.  acid  in  the  powdered  state,  and 


OF    VHTERIXARV    MEDICINE.  253 

keep  this  up  for  about  two  weeks.     Give  iron,  arsenic  and  vege- 
table bitters. 

ONANISM. 

The  word  "onanism"  mean  alone.  It  is  masturbation  on  the 
part  of  the  animal.  The  act  becomes  a  habit  and  leads  to  gen- 
eral debility.  It  produces  softening  of  the  brain  and  will  eventu- 
ally cause  death.  Horses  are  very  subject  to  it  and  the  habit 
ruins  young  studs.  The  offspring  of  such  an  animal  will  be 
weak  and  inferior.  The  horse  should  be  watched  and  exercised. 
Attend  to  the  hygiene.  \'arious  mechanical  appliances  are  used 
to  prevent  the  acts  of  self  abuse,  and  when  these  fail  castratiori 
is  the  only  remedy. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  ORGANS  OF  SPECIAL  SENSE. 

SmPLE  OPHTHAL^IIA.  • 

Simple  ophthalmia  is  inflammation  of  the  conjunctiva.  It  is 
usually  the  result  of  some  foreign  body  being  introduced  into  the 
eye  or  the  extension  of  some  inflammation  through  the  lach- 
rymal ducts  in  catarrh  or  glanders.  It  is  often  caused  by  facing 
a  cold  wind  in  long  drives  or  from  caustic  substances  getting  into 
the  eye. 

The  eyelids  are  more  or  less  swollen  and  the  extreme  sensi- 
tiveness of  the  eye  causes  the  animal  to  keep  the  eyelids  shut. 
There  is  more  or  less  pain  and  a  copious  discharge  of  tears. 
The  cornea  becomes  inflamed  if  the  condition  lasts  long  and  it 
becomes  opaque. 

Examine  the  eye  for  a  foreign  body  and  if  found  remove  it. 
This  is  best  done  with  a  pair  of  curved  forceps  holding  the 
curved  side  toward  the  eye  so  as  not  to  injure  it.  Foreign  bodies 
become  embedded  in  the  mucous  membrane,  which  closes  around 
them,  so  look  carefully.  You  will  recognize  the  presence  of  one 
by  the  local  swelling  where  the  body  is  and  you  can  often  as  it 
were  break  down  the  mucous  membrane  and  get  at  it  by  curret- 
ting  the  most  prominent  point. 


254  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

After  removing  the  object,  treat  with  anodyne  and  mucilag- 
inous substances.  Common  salt  and  distilled  water  are  good 
to  allay  the  inflammation.  Use  one-half  dram  to  the  pint  of 
water.  The  white  of  an  egg  introduced  into  the  eye  is  also 
good — it  lubricates  the  surface  and  relieves  the  irritation.  Lin- 
seed tea  or  a  grain  of  linseed  introduced  into  the  eye  is  good. 
In  a  very  bad  case  keep  the  animal  in  the  dark  and  apply  cocaine 
occasionally. 

FUNGUS  HAEMATOIDES. 

This  is  a  bleeding  fungus.  It  is  a  medullary  soft  cancer  often 
seen  in  cattle.  It  usually  starts  in  small  purplish  spots  on  the 
conjunctiva.  It  is  malignant  and  spreads  through  the  eye,  often 
working  back  to  and  through  the  bone.  The  putrefactive  matter 
of  the  ulceration  causes  cachexia  and  the  animal  may  die  from 
the  absorption  of  the  products  of  cytolysis. 

The  only  hope  is  to  remove  the  growth  In  the  early  stage. 
If  the  eye  is  involved  remove  it  and  cauterize.  When  the  granu- 
lations fill  up  the  eye  about  one-half,  use  the  white  lotion  to  pre- 
vent further  growth.  The  animal  should  be  sent  to  the  abbatoir 
on  account  of  the  liability  of  recurrence. 

ENTROPIUM. 

Entropium  is  the  turning  in  of  one  eyelid  or  both.  They 
bring  the  eyelashes  in  contact  with  the  eye  and  irritate  it.  The 
cornea  is  more  or  less  cloudy  and  there  is  a  discharge  of  muco- 
purulent matter  from  the  eye,  giving  the  animal  a  disagreeable 
appearance. 

The  treatment  is  surgical  and  involves  the  removal  of  an 
eliptical  section  from  the  eyelids,  thus  shortening  them  up.  The 
result  of  the  operation  as  a  rule  is  pleasing.  The  condition  is 
very  common  in  dogs. 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  255 

ECTROPIUM. 

In  this  condition  the  eyeHds  are  too  short;  they  turn  the 
lashes  out  and  expose  the  conjunctiva.  This  is  not  so  painful  as 
in  entropium,  but  it  is  unsightly. 

In  mild  cases  we  may  use  astringents  such  as  sulphate  of  zinc 
(2  grains  to  the  ounce),  or  a  saturate  solution  of  borax,  or  cold 
tea.  Apply  the  solution  two  or  three  times  a  day.  If  this  fails 
we  sometimes  sew  the  lids  together  the  same  as  in  dislocation  of 
the  eye.  We  may  be  required  to  cut  out  an  eliptical  portion, 
but  this  is  rare.  If  the  zinc  lotion  proves  too  weak,  then  in- 
crease its  strength  to  5  grains  to  the  ounce. 

LEUCOMA. 

Leucoma  is  an  opaque  cornea.  The  cornea  is  cloudy.  This 
condition  may  be  produced  by  blows,  which  however,  are  not  se- 
vere enough  to  break  the  cornea,  but  which  often  produce  a  per- 
manent cloudiness.  The  more  dense  and  organized  the  exudate, 
the  more  permanent  will  be  the  opacity;  and  the  whiter  it  is,  the 
more  likely  is  it  to  be  incurable.  While  it  is  blue  (pale  blue) 
there  is  hope  of  recovery;  but  as  it  becomes  white,  the  chance 
diminishes.  Sometimes  there  is  a  white  patch  on  the  cornea  at 
the  point  of  injury.  This  will  remain  permanent,  but  if  the 
contusion  is  mild,  the  exudate  will  become  absorbed.  For  local 
treatment  apply  warm  fomentations  to  the  eye  and  give  ano- 
dynes. Later  use  local  applications  of  saline  or  borated  water. 
Give  stimulants.  In  three  or  four  days  change  to  distilled  or 
fluid  extract  of  witch  hazel — the  distilled  can  be  used  clear,  while 
the  extract  should  be  diluted  75  per  cent.  Follow  this  with  sul- 
phate of  zinc  or  silver  nitrate — 5  grains  to  the  ounce.  In  old 
cases  use  stronger  solutions — say  10  grains  to  the  ounce.  Always 
use  distilled  water  when  treating  the  eye. 

ULCERATION  OF  THE  CORNEA. 

This  is  liable  to  occur  in  connection  with  any  wound,  but  it 
is  often  found  in  distemper  in  dogs.     The  eyelids  become  glued 


256  THEORY    AND    PRACTICE 

together  and  pus  accumulates  inside  them  and  irritates  the  cor- 
nea. The  ulceration  may  occur  in  two  or  three  places  in  the 
cornea,  and  then  the  sores  become  confluent.  Unless  the  lids 
are  softened  and  the  pus  let  out,  the  cornea  may  be  eaten 
through  and  the  aqueous  humor  escape. 

Remove  the  cause;  reduce  the  conjunctivitis  and  touch  the 
ulcer  lightly  with  lunar  caustic  once  a  day.  In  case  the  cornea 
is  not  ruptured,  granulations  may  form  in  patches  on  its  surface 
and  these  will  be  red  as  beefsteak.  In  such  cases  cauterize  every 
three  days  with  lunar  caustic. 

INFECTIOUS  KERATITIS  OF  CATTLE. 

Keratitis  is  inflammation  of  the  cornea.  It  is  a  constitutional 
disease  and  one  especially  peculiar  to  cattle.  It  is  very  common 
and  often  runs  through  a  whole  herd.  This  would  indicate  that 
we  have  to  deal  with  a  specific  germ  but  as  yet  none  has  been 
found.  The  disease  runs  a  regular  course  and  it  is  usually  be- 
nign. 

Semciology. — Tears  runs  down  the  cheek.  The  eyelids  arc 
more  or  less  swollen  and  the  cornea  is  often  ulcerated.  Acute 
cellulitis  is  also'  present.  The  cornea  is  opaque.  Recovery  may 
take  place  in  4-12  days,  but  in  some  cases  the  cornea  may  be- 
come ruptured,  the  aqueous  humor  escape  and  the  eye  becomes 
destroyed. 

Treatment. — Keep  the  patient  in  the  dark.  Apply  warm  fo- 
mentations with  salt  water.  Do  not  let  the  iris  remain  in  one 
position  too  long  a  time.  Inject  a  little  atropine  to  dilate  the 
pupil  and  if  it  does  not  contract  in  a  few  days  then  use  calabar 
bean.  After  the  inflammation  has  run  its  course  use  sulphate  of 
zinc  lotion.     Give  laxatives  and  soft  food. 

FILARIA  OCULI. 

The  filaria  is  a  little  thread-like  worm  which  is  sometimes 
found  in  the  anterior  chamber  of  the  eye.  This  is  especially 
seen  in  Canada.  It  is  not  known  how  the  parasite  gets  into  the 
eye,  but  probably  through  smaller  worms  which  develop  in  the 


OF  VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  257 

blood.  The  worm  is  I/q"^  ^^ch  long  and  is  as  slender  as  60  cotton 
thread.  Sometimes  it  lies  quietly  and  sometimes  it  flashes  about 
in  the  humor.  This  movement  stimulates  the  glands  to  secrete 
more  humor  and  the  eye  bulges  out,  causing  great  distress. 

Treatment. — In  case  of  the  horse,  lay  the  animal  on  his  back, 
turn  the  head  on  the  poll  and  fasten  the  upper  eyelid  back  with 
a  few  stitches.  Do  not  use  a  speculum  to  hold  the  lids  in  place. 
First  apply  a  little  cocaine ;  some  use  chloroform,  but  I  do  not 
think  that  this  is  necessary.  With  an  ordinary  scalpel  cut  into 
the  cornea  on  the  upper  side  of  the  eye.  Make  an  incision  about 
an  eighth  of  an  inch  long  and  then  press  out  the  humor.  The 
parasite  will  usually  come  out  with  the  humor,  but  if  not,  press 
it  out.  You  may  have  to  take  it  out  with  a  pair  of  forceps. 
This  operation  is  called  the  Sclero-corneal  operation.  The  wound 
will  heal  by  ftlrst  intention,  the  humor  will  be  renewed  and  the 
eye  will  be  all  right  in  a  few  days.  Never  make  the  incision  on 
the  lower  side  of  the  eye,  else  the  humor  will  run  out  as  fast  as 
secreted  and  form  a  fistula.  Before  operating  pass  the  blade  of 
the  scalpel  through  a  flame  to  insure  that  it  is  sterile. 

AMAUROSIS. 

This  condition  is  paralysis  of  the  optic  nerve.  It  is  some- 
times called  Gutta  Serena  or  Glass  Eye.  The  eye  is  insensible 
and  there  is  total  blindness.  It  is  common  in  people  and  horses 
and  rare  in  cattle  and  dogs.  The  causes  of  the  affection  con- 
sist of  tumors  and  other  diseases  of  the  brain  implicating  the 
optic  nerve.  Injury  to  the  nerve  between  the  brain  and  the  eye 
and  inflammation  of  the  roots  and  also  the  endings  of  the  nerve 
or  undue  pressure  upon  the  same  from  inflammatory  effusion  are 
etiological  factors.  Optic  palsy  may  also  occur  from  an  over- 
loaded stomach,  from  a  profuse  hemorrhage,  and  even  from  pres- 
sure of  the  gravid  womb  in  gestation. 

Semeiology. — Wide  dilatation  of  the  pupis  is  a  marked  symp- 
tom. The  whole  interior  of  the  eyeball  is  exposed  and  the  ex- 
pansion remains  the  same  in  light  and  darkness.  The  horse  does 
not  swerve  when  a  feint  to  strike  is  made  unless  the  hand  causes 
a  current  of  air  to  come  against  the  face.     The  ears  are  held 


258  THEORY   AND   I^RACTICE 

erect  and  turn  quickly  at  any  noise.     The  animal  steps  high  to 
avoid  stumbling. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  only  useful  when  the  disease  is 
symptomatic  of  some  removable  cause,  such  for  instance  as  con- 
gested brain,  an  overloaded  stomach  or  gravid  womb.  When  re- 
covery does  not  follow  the  termination  of  these  conditions,  ap- 
ply a  blister  behind  the  ear  and  give  dram  doses  of  nux  vomica 
three  times  daily. 

DETACHMENT   OF  THE  RETINA. 

This  occurs  in  case  of  hemorrhage  between  the  chorid  and 
the  retina.  It  produces  a  loss  of  functional  activity  of  the  retina 
and  may  run  into  amaurosis.  The  cause  of  this  condition  may 
be  a  severe  blow  on  the  head,  a  fit  of  coughing,  or  rapid,  ex- 
cessive hemorrhage.  It  is  common  in  people  and  horses  and  dogs 
but  is  never  seen  in  cattle.  It  frequently  occurs  in  horses  in  con- 
nection with  castration,  cuts  from  barbed  wire  fences,  etc.  This 
afifection  can  sometimes  be  cured ;  amaurosis  seldom. 

In  treating  such  cases  give  tincture  of  iron  and  nux  vomica 
internally.  Inject  a  few  drops  of  witch  hazel  (distilled  extract) 
into  the  eye  three  times  a  day. 

STAPHYLOMA. 

This  consists  of  a  bulging  forward  of  the  cornea  at  a  given 
point  by  the  sacular  yielding  and  distention  of  its  coats.  The 
tumor  may  be  transparent  or  opaque.  The  disease  is  common 
in  the  human  and  dogs  but  rare  in  horses  and  cattle.  In  the 
transparent  form  the  tumor  is  bulging,  distended  and  cyst-like; 
but  in  the  opaque  the  tumor  is  thick  and  is  formed  like  a  grape. 
The  bulging  kind  is  more  common  and  it  grows  larger  than  the 
solid  tumor. 

If  the  bulging  kind  is  detected  soon  enough,  puncture  it  and 
liberate  some  of  the  aqueous  humor.  This  may  save  the  eye. 
If  the  condition  becomes  chronic  and  a  thickened  mass  is  found 
on  the  outside  of  the  cornea,  it  must  be  removed.  This  operation 
destroys  the  sight  and  the  cornea  cannot  be  replaced.     A  glass 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  259 

or  rubber  eye  can  be  inserted  for  the  sake  of  appearance.  The 
wound  should  heal  with  little  difficulty.  Be  sure  that  the  instru- 
ments are  sterile  before  operating. 

PERIODIC  OPHTHALMIA. 

Other  names  for  this  condition  are  Specific  Ophthalmia,  Re- 
current Ophthalmia  or  Moonhlindness.  It  is  an  inflammatory  af- 
fection of  the  interior  of  the  eye,  intimately  related  to  certain 
soils,  climates  and  systems,  showing  a  strong  tendency  to  recur 
again  and  again,  and  usually  ending  in  blindness  from  cataract 
or  other  serious  injury.     It  is  peculiar  to  the  horse. 

Semeiology. — The  local  symptoms  are  in  the  main  those  of 
external  ophthalmia,  with,  in  many  cases  an  increased  hardness 
of  the  eyeball  from  effusion  into  its  cavity.  The  contracted  pupil 
does  not  contract  much  in  darkness  nor  even  under  the  action  of 
belladonna.  The  opacity  advances  from  the  margin  of  the  cor- 
nea over  its  whole  surface.  So  long  as  it  is  transparent 
there  can  be  seen  a  turbid  aqueous  humor.  This  may  or  may 
not  contain  floculi.  The  dingy  iris  is  robbed  of  its  clear  black 
aspect,  the  lens  is  cloudy  and  there  is  a  greenish  yellow  reflec- 
tion from  the  interior  of  the  eye.  From  the  fifth  to  the  seventh 
day  there  is  a  floculent  precipitate  which  forms  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  anterior  chamber,  exposing  more  clearly  the  iris  and 
the  lens  and  absoption  commences.  The  eye  will  clear  up  in 
10  or  15  days. 

The  striking  characteristic  of  the  disease,  however,  is  its  re- 
currence again  and  again  until  blindness  results.  The  attacks 
may  follow  each  other  at  intervals  of  a  month,  more  or  less,  but 
they  show  no  relation  to  any  particular  phase  of  the  moon  as  the 
name  ''moonhlindness"  would  lead  one  to  think.  The  attacks 
are  rather  determined  by  the  weather,  the  health  or  the  food,  or 
some  periodicity  of  the  system.  From  five  to  seven  attacks 
usually  result  in  blindness  in  one  eye  and  then  the  other  runs 
through  the  same  course.  In  the  intervals  between  the  attacks 
some  symptoms  remain  which  usually  betray  the  condition. 
Even  after  the  first  attacks  there  can  usually  be  seen  a  bluish 
ring  around  the  margin  of  the  cornea.     The  afifected  eye  seems 


260  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

smaller  than  the  other,  at  first  from  retraction  in  its  socket  and 
later  from  atrophy.  The  upper  eyelid  will  have  an  abrupt  bend 
toward  its  inner  angle  from  the  contraction  of  the  levator  muscle. 
The  front  of  the  eye  has  lost  its  lustre  and  the  depths  are  green- 
ish yellow.  The  ears  are  alert  to  compensate  for  the  waning 
vision.  • 

There  is  no  doubt  that  some  specific  germ  is  responsible  for 
periodic  ophthalmia,  but  it  has  not  been  demonstrated.  The 
periodicity  of  the  disease  is  probably  due  to  the  manner  of  de- 
velopment of  the  micro-organism,  whatever  it  is,  whose  genera- 
;tions  die  out  from  lack  of  food  in  the  anterior  chamber  of  the 
eye  and  the  symptoms  subside  until  the  spores  develop  into  viru- 
lent organisms  again. 

Etiology. — The  causes  may  be  fundamentally  attributed  to 
the  soil.  Damp  clays,  marshes  and  bottoms  which  have  fre- 
'quently  been  overflowed  are  potent  causative  factors.  The  damp 
air  and  wet  climate  react  upon  the  animal  to  produce  a  lym- 
phatic constitution  with  an  excess  of  connective  tissue,  bones  and 
muscle  of  coarse,  open  texture,  thick  skins  and  gummy  legs  with 
profuse  long  hair.  The  rank  fodders  grown  on  such  soils  are 
other  causes.  Foods  act  by  leading  to  constipation  and  under- 
mining the  constitution  of  the  animal,  giving  it  a  predisposition 
to  any  infection.  The  period  of  denition  and  training  is  g. 
fertile  exciting  cause.  The  great  majority  of  victims  are  from 
2-6  years  old.  If  a  horse  escapes  the  infection  until  after  he 
is  six  years  old,  he  will  probably  never  get  it.  The  irritation 
about  the  head  during  the  eruption  of  teeth,  the  unwonted  bridle 
and  collar,  the  stimulating  grain  diet  and  the  close  air  of  the 
stable  all  combine  to  arouse  the  latent  tendency  of  the  disease 
in  the  eye.  No  one  of  these  conditions  would  cause  the  attack, 
but  all  together  have  great  bearing  as  predisposing  factors  at 
least.  It  has  been  alleged  that  the  specific  factor  is  a  germ 
which  is  harbored  in  the  marshy  district,  but  it  has  never  been 
found. 

Heredity  is  accepted  by  horsemen  as  a  most  potent  factor, — 
one  so  strong  that  intelligent  horsemen  everywhere  refuse  to 
breed  from  either  horse  or  mare  that  has  once  suffered  from  re- 
current ophthalmia.     The  French  Government  even  refuses  ser- 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  261 

vice  to  any  mare  that  has  once  suffered  with  her  eyes.  A  consid- 
eration of  the  future  of  our  horses  would  demand  the  (Hsuse  of 
all  sires  that  are  unlicensed  and  the  refusal  of  a  license  to  any 
sire  that  has  suffered  from  periodic  ophthalmia  or  any  other  com- 
municable disease. 

Treatment. — Treatment  is  not  satisfactory,  but  the  same 
measures  as  are  useful  in  external  ophthalmia  help  some  in  the 
periodic  form.  The  affection  should  be  treated  with  purgatives, 
followed  by  diuretics  and  cold  applications  to  the  eye.  To  cause 
dilatation  of  the  pupil  inject  a  solution  of  atropin  (2J  grains  to 
the  ounce  )  three  or  four  times  a  day.  If  the  pupil  does  not  con- 
tract after  a  few  days,  then  use  calabar  bean.  Give  soft  food, 
keep  the  animal  in  a  cool  place  and  let  him  rest.  This  will  ward 
off  the  opacity  for  a  time.  During  the  convalescence  iodide  of 
potash  will  help  to  absorb  the  deposits,  but  the  animal  wnll  go 
blind  in  time.  Some  doctors  say  that  surgical  treatment  is  the 
right  thing  and  recommend  tapping  the  eye  with  a  fine-bladed 
knife  and  squeezing  out  twenty-five  per  cent  of  the  aqueous  hu-, 
mor.  This,  at  least,  would  relieve  the  intraorbital  pressure.' 
Following  the  operation  give  a  dram  of  iodide  of  potash  three 
times  a  day  for  a  month  or  six  weeks. 

The  prevention  of  the  disease  is  the  great  object  to  be  aimed 
at  and  this  demands  the  most  careful  breeding,  feeding  and 
housing.  The  animals  should  be  placed  in  a  high  and  dry  loca- 
tion and  kept  off  the  lowdands.  The  improvement  of  the  land  by 
drainage  and  cultivation,  however,  should  be  the  final  ami. 

SUX  STROKE,  INSOLATION,  COUP  DE  SOLEIL,  THER- 
MIC FEVER,  HEAT  STROKE,  COUP  DE  CHALEUR. 
HITZSCHLAG,   SONNENSTICH,   ICTUS   SOUS, 
HEAT  PROSTRATION,   SIRIASIS,  OVER- 
HEATING. '' 

Definition.— Under  these  various  names  the  diseased  condi- 
tion, in  which  an. excessively  high  temperature,  nervous  prostra-j 
tion,  insensibility,  coma  and  death  are  the  prominent  features, 
occurs. 


2(i2  THEORY   AND   PRACTICE 

Nature. — It  is  an  auto-intoxication  with  fatigue  toxines  and 
toxic  decomposition  products  due  to  overwork  in  hot  weather. 

The  heat  of  warm  blooded  animals  is  produced  by  chemic 
metabolism,  and  is  regulated  by  the  thermal  center  in  the  medulla 
oblongata.  The  natural  channels  through  which  heat  is  lost 
are,  according  to  Helmholtz,  21/2%  by  the  solid  and  fluid  egesta, 
5/4%  by  warming  inspired  air,  1434%  by  evaporation  of  the 
water  carried  out  by  the  expired  air,  and  771/2%  by  radiation. 

Alexander  Lambert  gives  the  normal  loss  of  animal  heat  as 
follows  :  2.6%  by  warming  food  and  drink,  2.6%  by  warming  in- 
spired air,  14.7%  by  evaporation  and  80.1%  by  radiation.  These 
losses  are  affected  by  meteorological  conditions.  In  very  hot 
weather  the  loss  caused  by  warming  the  food,  drink  and  inspired 
air  is  almost  nil,  and  in  hot,  humid  weather,  with  low  baromet- 
ric pressure,  especially  if  there  is  no  breeze,  evaporation  and 
radiation  are  reduced  to  a  minimum.  When  the  barometer  is 
high  the  neve  tonus  is  good,  the  animal  feels  well  and  evapora- 
tion keeps  pace  with  the  perspiration.  Then  there  are  no  sun- 
strokes, but  when  the  barometer  is  low,  the  weather  hot  and 
humid,  the  animal  feels  languid,  perspiration  is  profuse,  and 
evaporation  is  nil  sunstrokes  are  common.  Consequently  sun- 
strokes are  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  in  the  region  of  the 
great  lakes  and  in  tropical  climates,  but  in  the  Northwestern 
States  they  are  rare. 

Etiology. — A  condition  of  cerebral  hyperaemia  may  come  on 
from  excessively  active  exercise  in  hot  weather,  attended  by 
convulsions,  syncope,  coma  and  death.  This  is  most  often  seen 
in  dogs. 

In  the  horse  the  predisposing  causes  are  old  age,  overwork 
or  indigestion.  The  exciting  causes  are  hard  work  in  hot,  humid 
weather  with  low  barometer,  insufficient  water  supply  over- 
heating in  horses  working  between  other  horses  in  three  horse 
teams  or  gangs. 

Symptonvatology. — At  first  there  is  profuse  perspiration,  then 
the  horse  begins  to  pant  and  the  sweat  dries  up ;  he  now  b^ins 
to  stagger,  becomes  insensible,  goes  down,  is  unable  to  rise,  soon 
becomes  comatose,  the  surface  of  the  body  is  dry  and  hot,  the 


OF   VETERINARY    MEDICINE.  263 

temperature  is  109°  to  112°  F.,  the  mucous  membranes  get  livid, 
the  pulse  rapid  and  weak,  the  respirations  at  first  are  rapid,  and 
as  coma  develops  they  get  slower  and  finally  stertorous.  Death 
in  bad  cases  follows  in  half  an  hour  to  four  or  five  hours. 

Prognosis. — With  a  temperature  of  109°  a  horse  will  usually 
recover  if  he  receives  prompt  and  proper  treatment.  110°  or 
higher  will  usually  prove  fatal,  unless  the  treatment  is  very 
prompt  and  the  horse  is  strong. 

Special  Pathology. — There  is  a  condition  of  anhydrsemia. 
The  blood  is  thick,  slightly  if  any  coagulated,  nearly  black,  with 
extensive  destruction  of  red  corpuscles.  The  lungs  are  con- 
gested, the  rjght  side  of  the  heart  is  nearly  empty,  the  left  side 
is  full  of  black  nearly  fluid  blood,  the  brain  is  congested  and  the 
chromophylic  plagues  or  Nissl's  bodies  are  broken  up,  the  liver 
and  kidneys  are  congested,  and  the  spleen  is  somewhat  enlarged. 

Sequelae. — Supersensitiveness  to  heat  that  lasts  the  balance 
of  the  season,  and  sometimes  for  ever  after.  This  is  manifested 
by  panting  on  slight  exertion  in  hot  weather,  and  staggering  from 
slight  cerebral  congestion.     Some  cases  become  dummies. 

Treatment. — Get  the  patient  into  the  shade  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, if  he  is  not  comatose.  Give  him  a  half  pint  of  whisky 
in  as  much  water  or  an  ounce  of  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  in 
half  a  pint  of  cold  water.  Give  a  grain  of  strychnia  hypodermat- 
ically,  and  a  dose  of  nitroglycerine  if  necessary ;  dram  doses  of 
acetanilid  will  assist  in  reducing  the  temperature  which  must  be 
brought  about  promptly.  To  aid  in  doing  this  put  sacks  of  ice 
on  the  head  and  neck,  and  spray  the  body  with  cold  water  by 
pinching  the  end  of  a  hose  pointed  upwards  so  as  to  let  the  water 
come  down  on  to  him  like  rain.  Take  his  temperature  every 
fifteen  minutes  and  stop  the  spraying  when  it  is  reduced  to  103°. 
If  kept  up  longer  it  is  apt  to  fall  below  the  normal.  In  addition 
to  the  above,  if  the  initial  temperature  is  110°  or  higher,  give 
rectal  injections  of  cold  water  with  a  fountain  syringe.  During 
convalescence  give  nux,  aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia,  gentian, 
light  diet  and  long  rest. 

Prevention. — When  horses  come  in  from  work  hot,  sponge 
them  over  with  cold  water  and  let  them  dry.     Give  internally 


264  THEORY   AND    PRACTICE 

aromatic  spirits  of  ammonia  and  nux  and  tie  the  horses  outside 
in  the  open  air.  Do  not  put  them  into  the  stable  nor  feed  them 
till  they  are  well  cooled  out.  During  this  time  give  them  cold 
water  to  drink  in  small  quantities  and  often.  If  treated  in  this 
way  they  will  be  ready  for  work  the  next  day,  but  if  not  they  will 
go  out  tired  next  morning  and  probably  collapse  before  night. 
When  a  horse  begins  to  pant  collapse  is  imminent,  consequently 
he  should  be  driven  into  the  shade,  unharnessed,  sponged  off, 
watered  and,  when  able,  driven  home. 

DEATH  BY  LIGHTNING. 

Post  Mortem  findings  in  death  from  electricity. 

First : — Rigor  Mortis  is  always  quick,  second  or  third  hour, 
in  'fifty  minutes  in  one  case. 

Second : — ^Points  of  Penetration  show  more  or  less  burns. 
Points  of  exit  show  less  burning  than  those  of  entrance. 

Third: — If  body  is  opened  immediately  the  heart  is  lax,  both 
ventricles  full  and  the  auricles  pulsating  rhythmically.  If  Post 
is  delayed  fifteen  minutes  or  more  the  left  ventricle  is  sometimes 
found  empty  and  firmly  contracted. 

Fourth : — The  arteries  are  contracted  to  the  limit,  the  blood 
being  forced  into  the  large  veins  of  the  trunk  and  head. 

Fifth  : — Viscera  engorged. 

"Sixth : — Nervous  system  presents  no  change  either  macrosco- 
pical  or  microscopical.  Molecular  changes  are  supposed  to  occur 
but  not  proven.  Brain  is  sometimes  seen  with  gross  destruction 
of  peripheral  cortex  with  intracranial  hemorrhage. 

Cause  of  Death. — Paralysis  of  the  heart  in  ventricular  tre- 
mulation  in  case  of  a  low  pressure  current  (syncope),  and  in- 
hibition of  the  respiratory  center  in  high  pressure  current 
(asphyxia). 

Treatment. — Artificial  respiration  and  Faradic  current  to  the 
precordium,  diaphragm  and  epigastric  region.  Also  bromides 
and  strychnine. 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Abdominal  Glands-Diseases 

of    145 

Abscess-Sub-Periosteal    229 

Abscess-Post    Pharyngeal...     55 

Active  Congestion   21-22 

Acute  Bronchitis   b? 

Acute   Farcy    164 

Acute    Gastric-Impaction 109 

Acute    Indigestion    106 

Acute  Inflammatory  Diseases  198 
Acute     Parenchymatous     Ne- 
phritis      216 

Acute    Laryngitis    49 

Adhesion     29 

Agglutination   Test    168 

Albuminuria     210 

Albumin-Test  for   in   Urine..  210 

Amaurosis    257 

Anaemia    16 

Anaemia-Cerebral     237 

Anal   Fistula    139 

Anasarca     177 

Anemia-Infectious   180 

Aneurism    207 

Angina    Pectoris    185 

Angiomata     223-^ 

Anthrax     153^ 

Anus-Imperforated     140 

Apoplexy 198-237 

Appetite   Capricious    Ill 

Arteritis     206 

Articular  Rheumatism 183 

Ascaris  Megalocephala    127 

Ascites     143 

Asphyxia     32 

Asthma    68 

Atelectasis    57 

Atrophy   of   Bone 231 

x\trophy    of    Heart 203 

Auscultation    40 

Azoturia    190 

B 

Bacillus   Anthracis    156 

Bacillus   Malleus    161 

Balls-Dust    136 


PAGE 

Bastard  Strangles   170 

Bean    218 

Big  Head 231 

Bile-Reabsorption    of 150 

-Suppression   of    150 

Biliary  Congestion  of  Liver.  147 

Bladder-Eversion  of  the 221 

-Rupture   of    221 

Blind    Staggers    236 

Blood-The 15 

Blood-Composition  of  the...  16 

Blood   Diseases    36-153 

Blood  Vessels-Diseases  of .. .  206 

Bloody    Flux    144 

-Urine    211 

Blue    Disease    197 

Bone-Atrophy    of    231 

Bones-Discases  of  228 

Botrymoycosis     174 

Bots     118 

Bowel  Invagination  136 

Braxy    155 

Bright's    Disease    210-215 

Broken   Wind    63 

Bronchiolitis    59 

Bronchitis    57 

-Acute    57 

Bronchocele     227 

Broncho-Pneumonia   57-73 

Brown   Atrophy  of   Heart...  203 
Buccal    Membrane-Conges- 
tion of   92 

Bull   Burnt    249 

Burnt   Dog    249 

Bursatti    172 

C 

Cachexia    254 

Calculi 135 

-Salivary 98 

Callus    235 

Cancer    223 

Capped    Hock   and   Knee....  225 

Capricious   Appetite    Ill 

Carbuncle    218 

-Contagious    155 


266 


INDEX — Continued. 


PAGE 

Caries    229 

Catarrh     ^ 45 

-Chronic    45 

Cerebral  Anaemia    237 

-Congestion    236 

-Embolus     237 

-Hemorrhage  and  Men- 
ingitis      237-238 

-Softening 239 

Cerebritis    238 

Charbon     154 

Choking     101 

Chondroma    223 

Chorea     246 

Chronic   Catarrh    45 

-Cough    53 

-Farcy    163 

-Gastritis    115 

-Heparitis    149 

.Indigestion-Gastric   ..    110 

-Laryngitis    52 

-Rhinitis    45 

-Rheumatism    85 

Cirrhosis    of   Liver 149 

Classification  of  Disease 15 

Clox-Ante  and  Post  Mortem     27 

Coital    Exanthema. 248 

Colic-Flatulent    132 

-Spasmodic     129 

Coma     33 

Conditioning  of   Horse 7^ 

Congestion    21 

-Active    21-24 

-Pulmonary    59 

Congestion-Cerebral    236 

Congestion-Hypostatic    21 

-Passive    23 

-Physiological     21 

Constipation     118 

Constitutional  Osteo  Porosis.  231 

Contagious   Carbuncle    155 

Contagious  Pleuro-Pneumonia 

of  Cattle   ^ 77 

Contagious    Pneumonia   .....     77 

-Stomatitis    94 

Corn    Stalk    Disease 174 

Coryza    Contagiosa  Equorum.  170 

Cough-Chronic    53 

Cornea  Inflammation    256 

-Opaque   255 

-Ulceration    of    256 

Coughing    41 

Coup  de  Chaleur 261 

Coup  de  Soleil    261 

Cow  Pox  154 


PAGE 

Crepitation     42 

Cribbing     115 

Crick    Back    242 

Cyanosis    197 

Cystitis    217 

Cysts    225 

-Dentigerous     227 

-Mucous     227 

-Ovarian    227 

-Serous    227 

D 

Death 30 

Death  by  Lightning   264 

Decomposition    145 

Dentigerous    Cysts    227 

Detachment  of  the   Retina...  258 

Diabetes    Insipidus    212 

-Mellitus     213 

Diagnosis    14-15 

Diarrhoea     123 

-Acute  in  the  Human..   126 

-Chronic    126 

Dicrotic    Pulse    19 

Digestive  System-Diseases  of    89 

Diphtheria    56 

Diseases-Acute  Inflammatory.  198 

Disease-Classification    of 15 

Disease  in  General 

Rational  Treatment  of.  36 
Diseases-Constitutional  ....  153 
Diseases  of  Abdominal  Glands  145 
Diseases  of  Blood  Vessels...  206 
Diseases    of    the    Circulatory 

System 195 

Diseases     of     the     Digestive 

System 89 

Diseases  of  the  Mouth 92 

Diseases  of  the  Nervous  Sys- 
tem       236 

Diseases  of  the  Oesophagus.   100 
Diseases    of    the    Organs    of 

Special   Sense    253 

Diseases  of  the  Reproductive 

System     247 

Diseases  of  the  Stomach....    105 

Diseases   of   the   Throat 99 

Diseases  of  the  Urinary  Sys- 
tem      ^ 208 

Diseases-Respiratory    41 

Disinfection   of   Stables 166 

Disorganization    30 

Dourine 248 

Dropsy  of  the  Ovaries 250 


INDEX — Continued. 


267 


PAGE 

Dropsy   of   the   Womb 250 

Druse    170 

Dry    Gangrene    25 

Dummy    .    239 

Dust  Balls   136 

Dysentery     144 

Dyspepsia    110 

Dyspnoea    42 

Dysuria   218 

E 

Ecchymosis    23 

Ectopia  Cordis   206 

Ectropium    255 

Elephantiasis   187 

Embolism    26-207 

Embolus-Cerebral    237 

Emesis    105 

Emphysema-Pulmonary    63 

Empyema    83 

Endocarditis    200 

Endothelioma    222 

Engorgement    of    Stomach..  106 

Enteritis    140 

Entropium    254 

Enuresis    220 

Ephemeral   Fever    37 

Epitheliomata   223 

Epizootic   Lymphangitis    ....  189 

Equine   Syphilis    248 

Eructations     107 

Etiology    13-14 

Eversion  of  the  Rectum 137 

F 

Fabricula    37 

Fainting    198 

Farcy     161 

Fatty  Degeneration   205 

Fever-Ephemeral     37 

-:\Iixture    39 

-Putrid    155 

-Rational   Treatment  of     37 

-Simple    37 

-Splenic    155 

Fibrin     17 

Fibrinous  Stage   59 

Fibroma    222-224 

Filaria   Oculi    256 

Fistula-Anal     139 

-Intestinal     134 

-Salivary 97 

Flatulence-Gastric    106 

Flatulent   Colic    132 


PAGE 

Flooding    212 

Flukes    152 

Flux-Bloody    144 

Foetal  Lung   57-60 

Friction  Sounds    42 

Fungus-Bleeding    254 

G 

Gangrene    24 

Gargle-Iron    53 

Gastric    Flatulence    106 

-Impaction-Acute    .....  109 

-Indigestion-Chronic...  110 

Gastritis    113 

-Chronic     115 

Glanders    161 

Glass    Eye    257 

Gleet-Nasal    45 

Glioma    223 

Glossitis     94 

Glycosuria    213 

Goitre    227 

Gourme    170 

Grunting    41 

Gut-Tie    136 

Gut-Twist     136 

Gutta   Serena    257 

H 

Haematoides   Fungus    254 

Healing  of  Bone 235 

Heart    203 

-Atrophy    203 

-Dilatation   of    . 202 

-Fatty  Degeneration  of  205 

-Failure-Sudden    31 

-Hypertrophy    203 

-Inflammation  of  Serous 

Sack  of 198 

-Inflammation  of  Valves 

of    199 

-Muscle    Inflammation.  203 

-Obesity  of    205 

-Polypi     206 

-Rupture   of   206 

-Tumors    206 

Heat   Stroke    261 

Heaves-Confirmed     and      In- 
cipient     63-66-68 

Hematuria    21 1 

Hemiplegia  241 

Hemophilia    • 16-23 

Hemorrhage    by    Rhexis 142 

Hemorrhage-Internal  and  Ex- 
ternal      32 


268 


INDEX — Continued. 


PAGE 

Hemorrhagic   Infarction    69 

Hemorrhoids 139 

Hepatitis 148 

-Chronic     149 

Histioid    Tumors     222 

Hitzschlag     261 

Horse    Sickness ..    155 

How  to  Kill  a  Horse 33 

Hydrocephalus 241 

Hydrometra    ,,.....   251  . 

Hydrophobia 158 

Hydrothorax    83 

Hygiene 14-15 

Hyperemia    21 

Hypertrophy  of  Hea^t ...  .203-204 
Hypostatic   Congestion    ....21-72- 
Hysteria 252 

I 

Icterus     146 

Ictus    Solis    261 

Imperforated  Anus    140 

Inanition    25 

Indigestion     106 

-Chronic     106 

-Subacute 106 

Induration    29 

Infectious   Anemia    180 

Inflammation     28 

-of    the    Bowels 140 

-of    the     Conjunctiva..  253 

-of  the  Liver    148 

Influenza     175 

Insolation    261 

Inspection     40 

Institutes  of  Medicine 13 

Intermittent  Pulse   19 

Intersitial    Pneumonia   of 

Glanders    77 

Intestinal   Fistula    134 

-Obstructions     135 

-Wall    Rupture    140 

Introduction    12 

Intussusception     136 

Iron    Gargle    53 

Irregular   Pulse    19 

Irritant    _. 27 

Ischuria 219 

Itching    152 

J 

Jaundice    146 

K 

Keratitis    256 

Kidneys-Hyperaemia   of  the.   214 


PAGE 

Kidneys-Inflammation     215 

Killing  of  Horse   33 

L 

Lampas    92 

Laryngitis     48 

-Acute 49. 

-Chronic     52 

-      -Necrotic 48 

Laryngo-Pharyngitis     48 

Leiomyoma    228 

Leucoma 255;; 

Leucorrhoea 252 

Lipoma 223 

Liver-Active-Passive  and 

Biliary  Congestion 146 

-Cirrhosis   of  the 149- 

-Congestion    of 146 

-Fatty  Degeneration  of  15.0 
-Inflammation  of  the..    148 
-Diseases    of    the......    145 

Locomotor   Ataxia    .........   242 

Loodiana   Disease    155 

Lymphadenitis     186" 

Lymphadenoma 152 

Lymphangitis    186 

-Anaemic    ..........  , .  . .    190 

-Epizootic 186 

-Mycotic    ..  .  . ".  ..  ..    186 

-Septic .r. . .., ...   190 

-Ulcerative   ; '. : .  V.   1^6 

Lumbago 183-184 

M 

Mad    Staggers    239 

Malarial   Fever   180 

Malignant  Pox 247 

-Pustule    156 

Mallein  Test    164-167 

Malleus-Baccilus    .  .- 161 

Massage  of  the  Bowels 123 

Masturbation    253 

Mechanical    Engorgement    .  .     69 

]\Ieconium-dry ..    120 

Megrims 236 

Meningitis-Cerebral 230 

Mensuration     40 

Metastatic  Rheumatism   .....   183 

Micturition-Profuse 212" 

Milzbrand 155 

Moist  Gangrene  24 

Monday  Morning  Sickness..   187 

M'oonblindness    259 

Morbid  Anatomy    14 

Morve-La    . ...i V . .   161  • 


INDEX — Continued. 


269 


PAGE 

Mountain  Fever   180 

Muscle   Tumors    228 

Muscular   Rheumatism    183 

Myelitis    240 

Myocarditis    203 

Myomata    223-228 

Myxoma 222 

N 

Nasal  Gleet   45 

Nausea    107 

Necraemia    34 

Necrosis     25 

-of   Bone    , 230 

Necrotic   Laryngitis    48 

Negri   Bodies    159 

Nematoda '..    128 

Nephritis     215 

Nervous    System-Diseai^e   of.   236 

Neuralgia    183-188 

Neuroma    225 

Neuromata    223 

Xicolaier  Bacillus 243 

Noncontagious  Pneumonia  ..     73 

Noname   Disease    180 

Normal  Respiration  of  Horse     37 

Nosology     13-35 

Nymphomania    252 

O 

Obesity  of  the  Heart 205 

Obstructions-Intestinal    135 

Occlusion    60 

Oedema   22 

Oedema   Glottidis    48 

Oesophagismus  101 

Oesophagitis 100 

Oesophagus-Organic  Diseases 

of    104 

Onanism    253 

Opaque   Cornea    256 

Ophthalmia   Periodic    259 

-Recurrent    259 

-Simple     253 

-Specific  259 

Organic  Diseases  of  the  Oeso- 
phagus      104 

Organs  of  Special  Sense-Dis- 
eases of  253 

Organization    30 

Orthotonos   244 

Ossium-Fragilitis     233 

Osteitis    228 

Osteoclasts  235 


PAGE 

Osteosclerosis   229 

Osteoma    223 

Osteomalacia     232 

Osteomyelitis    228 

Osteoporosis    229 

-Constitutional    231 

Ovaries-Dropsy   of  the 250 

Overheating     261 

Oxaluria 213 

Oxyuris   Curvula    128 

Ozena    45 

P 

Palatine  Artery  Hemorrhage    92 

Palpation    40 

Palpitation    105 

Palsy     ! 241 

Pancreas-Fatty  Degeneration  153 

Paracentesis  Thoracis    86 

Paralysis     240 

-of  Throat    54 

Paraphimosis     250 

Paraplegia    241 

Paresis     240 

Parotid  Gland  Inflammation.     95 

Parotiditis     95 

Pasty  }^Iouth    124 

Pathogenesis    13 

Pathogeny    13-14 

Pathology     13 

-General     13 

Percussion    40 

Pericarditis     198 

Periodic    Ophthalmia    259 

Periostitis     229 

Peritonitis     143 

Pernicious  Anemia    180 

Petaechial  Typhus  155 

Petechiae    23 

Pharyngitis     99 

Phlebitis    207 

Phlyctena    48 

Phymosis    250 

Piles-Bleeding     139 

Pin  Worms    128 

Plains  Paralysis   180 

Plethora    16 

Pleural  Adhesions 85 

Pleurisy     81 

Pleuro-Pneumonia     73 

Pleuro-Pneumonia  of  Cattle.     77 

Pneumonia     7^2 

Pneumonia- Contagious    77 

-Broncho  57-73 

-of  Glanders-Interstitial     77 


270 


INDEX — Continued. 


PAGE 

Pneumothorax    88 

-Record  of  a  Case  of..     88 

Polypi  of  the  Heart 206 

Polyuria     ^ 111-211 

Post   Mortem  Digestion 118 

Post  Pharyngeal  Abscess....     55 
Pox-Simple      and      Malig- 
nant  247-248 

Prognosis    14 

Protozoon    153 

Ptyalism    96 

Pulmonary  Apoplexy 69 

-Congestion    69 

-Emphysema    63 

Pulsating  Tumor  207 

Pulse........     17 

-Dicrotic    19 

-Frequent     and     Infre- 
quent         18 

-Hard   and   Soft 19 

-Intermittent   19 

-Irregular 19 

-Large  and  Small    ....     18 

-Quick  and  Slow 18 

-Venous     19 

Purpura  Hemorrhagica  177 

Pustule-Malignant   156 

Putrid  Fever   155 

Pyogenic  Fever   170 

Q 

Quinsy 54 

R 

Rabies    158 

Rachitis     233 

Rales    42 

Ranula  227 

Rational    Treatment    of   Dis- 
ease in  General    36 

Rational  Treatment  of  Fever     37 
Rectum-Eversion  of  the 137 

-Tenesmus   of    144 

Recurrent  Ophthalmia  259 

Renal  Calculus   217 

-Congestion    214 

Reproductive  System 

-Diseases  of  the 247 

Respiratory  Diseases   41 

Results  of  Active  Congestion     24 
Retina-Detachment  of  the...   258 

Rhabdomyoma    228 

Rhexis-Hemorrhage  by  142 

Rheumatic  Fever  182 


PAGE 

Rheumatism     182 

Rhinitis    42-47 

Rickets     233 

Roaring    42-52 

Rotzkrankheit    161 

Rupture  of  Heart 206 

-of  Intestinal  Wall 140 

-of  Stomach 116 

S 

Saccharomyces   Farciminosus  189 

Sales  Stable   Fever 86 

Salivary  Calculi   98 

-Fistula    97 

Sarcoma    222 

Satyriasis    252 

Scarlatina 179 

Sciatica    ' 183-184 

Scirrhous  Cord  227 

Scirrhous  Cancer 223 

Sclerosis  of  the  Cord 242 

Sclerostoma  Equinum 127 

Scouring    127 

Semeiology     13 

Septic    Lymphangitis    190 

Sequestrum    230 

Shakes    187 

Shipping    Fever     77 

Shivers    246 

Shot  of  Grease 187 

Sibilant  Sounds    59 

Simple  Pox   247 

Singultus     195 

Siriasis     261 

Sitfast    25 

Sneezing   42 

Snoring    42 

Sonnenstich    261 

Sore   Throat 48 

Spasmodic   Colic    129 

Specific  Ophthalmia   209 

Sphacelation    48 

Spleen    152 

Splenic  Fever   155 

Staggers-Stomach    109 

Staphyloma    258 

Sthenic   Syncope    31 

Stomach-Diseases  of 105 

-Engorgement     106 

-Rupture  of   116 

-Staggers    109 

Stomatitis     93 

Stomatitis    Pustulosa    Conta- 
giosa      94-155 


INDEX — Continued. 


271 


PAGE 

Strausstest   167 

Stricture    136 

Strangles     170 

Strangury 220 

Streptococcus    Equi  _^ 171 

Strongylus  Armatus   127 

Subacute  Indigestion    106 

Subacute   Rhinitis    -.     45 

Succussion    41 

Sun   Stroke    261 

Superpurgation     12^ 

Suppuration   59 

Surra    1*^4 

Swamp   Fever    175-180 

Symptomatology    13-14 

Syncope     . . . .  _ 198 

-Asthenic     31 

-Sthenic   31 

Syphilis  Equine   248 

T 

Tabes  Dorsalis   242 

Tapping     133 

Teeth-bearing  Cysts   227 

Temperature    20 

Tenesmus    217 

-of    Rectum    144 

Teratomata    223 

Tetanus     243 

Therapeutics     14 

Thermic  Fever   261 

Thirst-Excessive    HI 

Throat-Diseases  of  99 

-Paralysis  of   54 

Thrombosis    26-207 

Thrush-Baby's    ^93 

Thumps     -i95 

Torti    Colis    185 

Tracheotomy     51 

Trismus     244 

Trypanosoma   Equiperdum  . .   248 

Trypanosoma  Evansi  175 

Trypanosomiasis    175 

Tubular   Breathing    .  .^ 75 

Tumor-Pulsating    207 

Tumors    of    the    Heart 206 

Tumors    221 

Tympanitis     132 


PAGE 

Tympanitis  of  the  Rumen .  .  .    102 
Typhoid  Fever    144-180 

U 

Ulceration  qf  the  Cornea....  255 
Ulcerative   Lymphangitis    . . .   186 

Unknown    Disease- I'he    180 

Unthriftiness      IH 

Uraemia    193 

Urethritis    221-249 

Urinary  System-Diseases  of.  208 

Urine-Bloody    211 

-Incontinence    220 

-Sugar   in    213 

-Suppression   of   the...   219 
Uterine  Haemorrhage   198 

V 

Vaccina   154 

Vaccination    1^4 

Valvular  Disease   202 

Valvulitis    200 

Varicose  Veins   208 

Variola     154 

Varix • 208 

Veins-Inflammation    ot zu/ 

-Dilated     208 

-Varicose    208 

Venous  Pulse    19 

V^erminous  Cyst  1-^8 

Vertigo    236 

Volvulus    -136 

Vomition     105-116 

W 

Weed    ^87 

Wheezing    "^^I'fo 

Whistling    42-5- 

Wind    Galls    2  '.^ 

Wind    Sucking    11^ 

Womb-Dropsy   of  the 2M 

Woolsorter's  Disease   155 

Worms  in  Colic 1-8 

-Armed    J-^. 

-Common  Pin   J;^ 

-Large  Round  129 


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